Hi,

i have sleeve surgery planned for the 15th of feb 2018. I have a few questions to the lovely post op members.

1. I want to give up or at least massively cut down on alcohol post op. However I love going out and socialising. What do you drink on a night out with no gas, no alcohol and no (very few) calories? A night out on water is a bit boring!!

2. I have been active in the past running 3-10 miles 3-4 times a week. I have done very little exercise for the past 6months. But I really want to get into ultra fitness post op (obviously not the day after!!) Iron man, ultra marathon that kind of thing. How long did it take before you could do any kind of fitness training? Are there issues with getting the right nutrients for that level of sport?

3. How do you deal with situations where you get offered food and drink? I find I eat and drink stuff I don’t really want sometimes because I can’t stand the “what you pregnant or something” “don’t be boring” “ why you not eating? On a diet or something? You don’t need to go on a diet what you need to do is...(que rubbish advice that you don’t want to discuss)” I don’t want to tell people about my surgery so how will still be able to go out socially without all the questions?

Thankyou in advance. :-)

1) It's not as big a deal as you think. I've been out with friends and if I only have water it isn't the end of the world. I used to think it was impossible to have fun in a social setting without being able to smoke (back when I did) and came to realize life goes just fine. I do have a beer from time to time. It takes a long time to get one down so you end up nursing a glass for quite awhile. The other issue is that it is really hard to try and have a beer at a meal. Simply isn't enough room for both. Wine is a bit easier to work with since there isn't any carbonation. Point is you'll find a way to make it work

2) It really comes down to the individual. Some are able to get back to normal quicker than others. I'd say the majority can safely return to a moderate gym life after the first month. You'll have to listen to your body and go from there. As long as you're hitting your protein goals and getting your vitamins in you shouldn't have much to worry about. It may take some fiddling with your diet to make sure you are getting enough calories in. You have to kind of decide what you want to do - focus on adding muscle back on and slightly slower weight loss, or maintaining current muscle mass and focusing on getting the weight off. Not that both can't happen at the same time but I'm a believer that focusing on one is better for the long run.

3) This one I can't help much on. My usual response is "I'm good, thanks" and leave it at that. I haven't had anyone be that pushy with me. I'm also not shy about my surgery. Frankly don't care what they think so if I get in that situation where someone is relentless I'll mention it and then let it go.

I'd do a cup of hot tea or decaf coffee if it's available. If it's summer here, then iced tea. It's Texas, so it's pretty common to drink ice tea all year round--even at a bar. Our local wine bar serves free ice tea.

1) It's not as big a deal as you think. I've been out with friends and if I only have water it isn't the end of the world. I used to think it was impossible to have fun in a social setting without being able to smoke (back when I did) and came to realize life goes just fine. I do have a beer from time to time. It takes a long time to get one down so you end up nursing a glass for quite awhile. The other issue is that it is really hard to try and have a beer at a meal. Simply isn't enough room for both. Wine is a bit easier to work with since there isn't any carbonation. Point is you'll find a way to make it work [emoji4]

2) It really comes down to the individual. Some are able to get back to normal quicker than others. I'd say the majority can safely return to a moderate gym life after the first month. You'll have to listen to your body and go from there. As long as you're hitting your protein goals and getting your vitamins in you shouldn't have much to worry about. It may take some fiddling with your diet to make sure you are getting enough calories in. You have to kind of decide what you want to do - focus on adding muscle back on and slightly slower weight loss, or maintaining current muscle mass and focusing on getting the weight off. Not that both can't happen at the same time but I'm a believer that focusing on one is better for the long run.

3) This one I can't help much on. My usual response is "I'm good, thanks" and leave it at that. I haven't had anyone be that pushy with me. I'm also not shy about my surgery. Frankly don't care what they think so if I get in that situation where someone is relentless I'll mention it and then let it go.

Thanks for your reply :-) this is really good advice.

I'd do a cup of hot tea or decaf coffee if it's available. If it's summer here, then iced tea. It's Texas, so it's pretty common to drink ice tea all year round--even at a bar. Our local wine bar serves free ice tea. [emoji3]

Iced tea sounds good [emoji106]

6 hours ago, Aurora2609 said:

Hi,

i have sleeve surgery planned for the 15th of feb 2018. I have a few questions to the lovely post op members.

1. I want to give up or at least massively cut down on alcohol post op. However I love going out and socialising. What do you drink on a night out with no gas, no alcohol and no (very few) calories? A night out on Water is a bit boring!!

2. I have been active in the past running 3-10 miles 3-4 times a week. I have done very little exercise for the past 6months. But I really want to get into ultra fitness post op (obviously not the day after!!) Iron man, ultra marathon that kind of thing. How long did it take before you could do any kind of fitness training? Are there issues with getting the right nutrients for that level of sport?

3. How do you deal with situations where you get offered food and drink? I find I eat and drink stuff I don’t really want sometimes because I can’t stand the “what you pregnant or something” “don’t be boring” “ why you not eating? On a diet or something? You don’t need to go on a diet what you need to do is...(que rubbish advice that you don’t want to discuss)” I don’t want to tell people about my surgery so how will still be able to go out socially without all the questions?

Thankyou in advance. :-)

Im a vodka girl, and have found that I can only tolerate one or two post surgery. I gave up diet coke which was hard enough ( Im surprised that I have only craved it once in 5 months - did NOT give in). So, I order a single shot of vodka in a tall glass with water, ice and lime. Then I add Chrystal Light or another sugar free powdered drink mix to it (lemonade, cranberry, or margarita (get on Amazon) . Nobody has ever commented or forbid me to mix my own at a bar or restaurant cuz I am paying for the vodka.