I have a religous question related to WLS

I am Episcopal.  We are very similar to the Catholic Church in traditions and Church service.  So we take the eucharist (wheaten bread and grape wine) at every service.  For those that have had WLS and practice this, did you have to refrain from taking it?  What did you do and how did you handle it?

My church has unleavened crackers and grape juice, generally at one service a month. Right after WLS I stopped taking the grape juice because I didn't want to risk getting sick from the sugar. I did take the small cracker and had no problems. Last Sunday (9 months after WLS) was the first time I actually took the juice. It was a very small amount and it did not cause any problems. I think that a significant question may be how you view the sacrament: I, personally, view it as a symbol of my decision to follow Christ and my acceptance of His sacrifices for me. Since the elements are a symbol, I have no problem not taking either item, but still recognize the truth that has taken place within me. If your faith views the sacrament itself as an essential component of salvation or forgiveness, then I would strongly suggest that you speak with your pastor or priest to get their view of your situation. It is important for you to not violate your own conscience, and your pastor can probably assist with that. I am sure that you are not the first person in your church with a health issue that they have accomodated. Blessings, Joe

Our church uses the cracker and grape juice and I never had a problem digesting it, yet everyone's body is different after surgery, what works for me might not work for the next person.

Good am, I would suggest speaking to your pastor and discussing your concerns. I agree with Joe about his faith and feelings regarding partaking in this as a symbolic gesture of your faith. I would like to add that you might consider merely wetting your lips with the grape wine therefore introducing your body to it and not drinking it down. In addition, you might consider just a small bite of the bread then discarding the rest into a napkin or what have you. I wish you the best with this!

I am Catholic, and have never had any problems because the amounts are so tiny. I take enough juice to wet my lips. In fact, I had my WLS in a Catholic hospital, and the priest brought me Eucharist while I was there. It is enough sacramentally to take just the wafer and not the juice, if even just a small taste causes issues.

Thank you for your advice.  I will speak with both my surgeon and Farther on this.  Some clarifications that I should have added.  The bread is like a "waifer"  you place it on your tounge and it dissolves.  So we don't "chew" it.  I do have the option of instead of drinking the wine, to dip the bread into the wine and recieve it that way. So that will be a great option for me.  Thank you for your quick responses.

I was wondering at the same, but in my case, my pastor just told me that "when" I get to the soft stage of foods and want to resume communion, then he would personally give me "just a tiny piece" of the wafer.  Most of the time it is so dry anyways and personally I am NOT in favor of drinking from the cup due to germs...It is a wonder more priests and lay people aren't sick from drinking the "leftovers". On another note, how do you rid the excess gas?   I think it is gas as it sometimes is in the middle of my stomach but then sometimes it is in all over in my back area.   I have walked and walked, but can't seem to get rid of it.   Anyone that can be of help, I sure would  appreciate it.   Thanks!

I'm Episcopal, too. I usually dip the bread in the wine. That way it is only a little amount of wine, and the wafers are so small they don't do much. If you are uncomfortable with that you could cross your arms over your chest and receive a blessing instead....

I was just thinking about this at church last night.  I'm 4 days out from surgery, so it is on my mind.  Thanks to all for all the great answers - Lys

That is to funny.  That is when I thought about it too.  Last night during service.