Very early stages of electing for WLS. I have been reading that many people all together lost the urge for soda and booze. I love bourbon, will I have to forgo this for life? moderation? after losing weight can I get the little buzz from just a drink? I have come to the point where I need to give it up if I want to see my 3 year old and my unborn child grow up. Something that I do enjoy every morning (sometimes feels like a necessity) is my coffee to get me up and moving. how does caffeine affect the body after WLS? I have been looking forward to a real motivator to get me to stop most of these things that are generally unhealthy to begin with.

I have been soda-free for 6 months (4 pre-op / 2 post-op) and alcohol free for 3 months.

I don't miss soda, but i do miss a beer or cocktail everyone now and then. My surgeon told me no alcohol until 6 months post-op. I've read people on here having a glass of wine after 3 months so it's different for everyone.

I also gave up caffeine and if I need a coffee I now have decaf. I actually really like how I feel being clean. My head is clearer, I sleep so much better, and I seem to be more in tune with with what my body needs / wants. i wish I could explain it better - I didn't think there would be this much difference when I was researching this surgery, but it is amazing.

For example, I know if I don'pt get all my Protein and Water in day 1, day 2 I'm not going to feel very well. I usually wake up with a head ache and feel weak. So everyday I can tell what i did right / and need to work on.

I would recommend this surgery to anyone who is ready to make these life style changes. But I feel that is the key - ready to make the change. And they are life long changes.

Every doctor seems to have his or her own protocol regarding alcohol, carbonation, and caffeine. I don't drink soda. I used to drink a ton of it and now I just don't. You get used to it. My doctor has no issue with alcohol and caffeine in moderation. I stay away from cocktails..too much sugar/calories. I drink a glass or two of white wine when I'm out to dinner. And yes..the smaller you are, the more you will feel the effects so be aware of that. I also drink coffee but again, in moderation. Two cups max. And I mean cups....not mugs.

Here's the whole point of this my friend. Nothing...and I mean nothing tastes as good as thin or normal feels.

I know you can see my ticker but take a look at my before and after pics. Amazing..huh? Yes...those are both pictures of me.

I don't have any carbonation per surgeon's instructions but no problem with alcohol or caffeine. I am a big tea drinker and I enjoy a drink or two some evenings. I don't feel deprived -- at all.

Not sure if I woulda gone ahead with wls if someone told me I'd have to give up coffee (well, probly but I wouldn't have been happy). I was offered coffee after I passed my leak test the day after surgery in the hospital. It didn't sound good so I didn't have 1 for about 4 weeks. Then I just woke up and said "Today is the day"!

I drink 1-2 cups (to be perfectly honest, they're more mugs than cups) a day splashed with a little sf creamer or sf coffee syrup and milk. I only drink good coffee (grind my Beans as I go) and my family says I'm the "coffee snob" of the family. U couldn't pay me to drink Folgers.

As for alcohol, I do drink a glass of red wine most nites. Started that about 3 mths post op. I don't remember there being rule about alcohol, as in when. Just remember to log in those calories (and don't drink too much cuz that will lead to mindless eating - been there). And I've taken a sip or 2 of hubbys soda about once a month when we go out to eat. I miss it when I eat pizza, but thats about it. My dr told me that carbonation might stretch my sleeve so that scares me enuf to keep me away. And I'm not a big fan of letting the bubbles die and then drinking it (as some suggest). Yuck. Whats the point?

Good luck to u!

My surgeon required me to be caffeine free prior to surgery - that sucked, because I was a 4-6 cup of coffee per day person. But I did it because it was important.

I wasn't much of a soda drinker prior to surgery, but I did enjoy some every once in a while. I wasn't a heavy alcohol drinker, but I did have a drink sometimes.

So, I'm 6 months out...I do drink coffee, but not as much as I used to (I had to pinkie promise my dock that I wouldn't go back to old habits). I enjoy a Starbucks Carmel Macchiato, but it's a treat, not a habit. I drink 2 cups of decaf and 1 cup of regular every day.

My drink is a DiSorrono and Coke...I've had two since surgery. The carbonation didn't bother me, but I stirred and stirred to try to flatten it. I can't see my drinking a lot of soda - it just doesn't make me feel good.

well, I have to do more research on the diet of pre and post op. I need to see details of what is expected. I know each dr will be different as well as each surgery, but I am sure there is a general theme.

I lost all taste for carbonation afterwards, it tastes like ass to me. It gives me heartburn. On mothers day I made my own grape soda with a grape flavor Water Enhancer and Perrier water and it was fun but it gave me heart burn.

I can drink, but I am not a drinker. I just don't like the taste. The one drink I love is the Pomegranate margarita at Chili's and I get buzzed pretty fast and I lose it just as fast.

And I drink coffee ALL day everyday. Latte with sugar free vanilla and whole milk please.

Edited May 15, 201412 yr by ASKSARAH - Sleeve

As my hubby said , I was a "cheap date" before surgery, as i cant hold liquor much. 2 was my limit, now im "one and done ." !! I have a cup of regulat tea in the am, decaf the rest of the day. Couldnt tell you about soda pop, I rarely had it before WLS , now its never . . Some people just lose their taste for certain things, but honestly you wont care when your clothes are getting too big ( again ?? ) , the compliments are coming in left and right along with all the NSV s !!! Good luck !!

I stopped drinkng soda 6 months before my pre-op and haven't had any sense. My doctor told me I had to stay away from the carbination and to be honest I don't miss it and I was a BIGGG soda drinker. As far as alcohol is concerned I'm not a drinker so.....I drink alot of tea throughout the day and it's cafinated, my doctor never said I couldn't have caffenee but every doctor has different guidelines.

The reward of not having certain things is far greater than having them:-)

Good luck on your decision!

I have no restrictions on coffee, use common sense on wine. I don't drink margaritas anymore; used to love them. Not worth the calories or acid.

Soda is really the only thing that I have completely given up. I just can't handle the carbonation. Over the last 6-7 months I have had a couple of sips of beer and a couple of sips of soda only to realize that it just isn't in the cards for me anymore.

My surgeon says one cup of coffee a day is fine. That's all I have. I am off carbonation and alcohol. He doesn't want us drinking for a year. I don't think I will drink until I hit goal.

Some of the restrictions depends upon the type of surgery. In general,

Avoid drinking caffeinated beverages because it stimulates appetite, irritates stomach lining after surgery and acts like a diuretic.

Avoid carbonated beverages because it causes increase in gas and puts pressure against the healing staple line which can lead to ulcers.

Avoid alcohol because it's empty calories, irritates the new stomach after surgery and may cause dumping syndrome.

In my case, I had a 6 diet Coke per day habit. When I began my medically monitored weight loss program required by my insurance, I went cold turkey on the diet cokes. I had a rough couple weeks because my body was addicted to the cokes. But because I made that change alone, I lost 20 pounds in a few weeks. I suspect the carbonated beverage releases small explosions of carbon dioxide that microscopically expands my stomach. Over time my larger stomach allows me to eat more and I gain weight. When I cut this component out, my stomach grew a little smaller and I lost weight.

I'm only 3 weeks post op, but I have noticed major differences in my life.

I've already lost 25 lbs.

my knees are not in constant pain any longer

My back isn't in pain anymore

And I no longer sweat like a pig when I'm cleaning my house.

Those few things alone, have made the surgery worth having!

@@Mrs.Fox,

You rock! Congrats on your success thus far.

Results like that make it easier to give up some of the vices that helped us get to Obese Class XXL.

Keep rockin' that sleeve!

@@James Marusek My doctor has the same "rules"... no caffeine, no carbonation and no alcohol -- and he's said forever. They just don't contribute to health and have bad side effects. The hardest for me will be the caffeine and carbonation -- I'm a Diet Coke addict so I hope like many others on here, I lose the desire for it.