Question:
I would Like to know if you are allowed to drink alcohol at all after surgery.
— Tracey M. (posted on July 23, 2003)
July 23, 2003
I have read that alcohol hits like a ton of bricks after surgery. I guess
we have to remember "moderation". I like a little sip of cognac
myself on occasion. Also I think it depends on how far away from your
surgery you are. When you first come home from the hospital I don't think
we can have too much of anything. Also REMEMBER that alcohol is
fattening!!!! God Bless you on your journey... I have 13 more days before
surgery.
— Eleanore Davis
July 23, 2003
You'll get a lot of different opinions on this question. Doctors say many
different things and everyone’s personal experience is different.
I think that you will have to find the answer for yourself. I do drink
beer and wine from time to time. I'm still loosing weight and it hasn't
been a problem for me. Alcohol does have calories and is often mixed with
other beverages such as fruit juice or soda that have even more calories
and sometimes sugar, so you have to keep that in mind when you make your
choices. I dump on fruit juice, but not on wine. I would never drink a
margarita or anything sweet like that. This is like a lot of other things
with this surgery, it comes down to choices and trade offs. For me, it is
worth it to cut out some other calories and carbs to have a glass of wine
once in a while. Someone else may prefer to skip the wine and have some
other treat. To me, this is what long term weight management is all about.
Of course, excessive consumption of alcohol is very bad for the liver and
may be even more of a problem for RNY patients. You may also find yourself
becoming intoxicated much more quickly then before your surgery. If you do
decide to drink, please be very aware of your personal tolerance level and
absolutely do not drive even after a small amount.
— Amber L.
July 23, 2003
Tracy, yes you can. But, please do in moderation, if you want to see how
bad it hits you, please check out my profile and read my comments from the
weekend of July 12th.
— heathercross
July 23, 2003
My surgeon said we could drink alcohol after at least four months after
surgery, and waiting longer would be better. He said that alcohol can
cause ulcers where all the new "plumbing" is connected if you're
not fully healed, so waiting longer is better. Also be aware that
intoxication will happen much more quickly than before, be careful of the
empty calories, and know that some people won't like alcohol after surgery,
just like with some foods.
— Vespa R.
July 23, 2003
My doc told me that post-op, alcohol will affect my liver five times more
than it did pre-op as we no longer metabolize it in the same way. So BE
CAREFUL. You can really damage your liver in a short amount of time. I
don't want to trade obesity for chirrosis! The good (bad?) news is that a
1/2 glass of wine will now make me tipsy.
— mom2jtx3
July 23, 2003
Hi Tracey, I am 4 mos out, occasionally have wine and it hasn't affected me
in the least bit. 2 glasses and I am not the least bit tipsy. I didn't
drink more than that before surgery, so I won't post-op. Have a good day -
— M B.
Click Here to Return