Question

Hello, Hope that everyone is doing just GREAT!! Just a quick question I am going to a wedding tomorrow, my surgery was 8/29/06 almost two months a go, and just want to know if I can have an alcoholic drink, any suggestions. Thank you... Love, Ingrid

In our program they recommend avoiding alcohol for 1yr postop. (The reasons: alcohol is a gastric irritant, can add to dehydration, empty/non-nutrative calories stalling wt loss/assisting in possible regain, risk of dumping as many alcohols or mixed drinks are HIGH in sugar, others are carbonated (beer/champagne) so they ask us to avoid that as well, risk of intoxication could be higher sooner due to rapid absorbtion, the alcohol may loosen one up to eat foods they normally wouldn't, it can interfere with vitamin/mineral absorbtion also which we are already at risk for deficiencies in B12, thiamine, vit A, zinc, magnesium... etc...and finally we are taxing our already most likely 'fatty' livers with the rapid wt loss, risk of chirrosis is greater early on), so 'I' haven't tried alcohol in my 4 yrs postop, but it never was a big issue or deal for me preop, it is a personal choice. YOU CAN DO ANYTHING YOU CHOSE, alcohol is a choice...Make an educated and informed one for you. (*think why did I have WLS?) BUT IMHO at 2 mo out I wouldn't dare touch the possible slippery slope!! Bariatric times just had 2 great articles on wls/alcohol, once they are avail on the site I'd also look there (in Sept/Oct 2006 issue not yet quite avail online) http://www.bariatrictimes.com/index.cfm Recommendations on the Use of Alcohol After Surgery Cynthia Buffington, Ph.D. Cynthia Buffington, Ph.D., is the Director of Research for The Obesity Wellness Center http://www.beyondchange-obesity.com/obesityResearch/precautionsWithAlcohol.html Caution When Using Alcohol after Bariatric Surgery By Cynthia Buffington, Ph.D. http://www.barimd.com/myNewsletterPage.php?pageNo=5&practiceId=7 Alcohol Use in the Bariatric Patient Cynthia Buffington, Ph.D. in Silhouette http://www.bbvitamins.com/research_Article_5.aspx Alcoholism Following Weight Loss Surgery http://www.wlscenter.com/NLArchive/may_1_2006.htm After weight-loss surgery, some find new addictions http://www.azcentral.com/offbeat/articles/0718wsj-addiction-transfer18-ON.html# Take Care, Jamie Lap RNY 10/9/02 Dr. Singh 320/163 5'9'' (lost 45# before surgery) Plastics 6/9/04 & 11/11/2005 Dr. King http://www.obesityhelp.com/morbidobesity/members/profile.php?N=c1132518510 "Being happy doesn't mean everything's perfect, it just means you've decided to see beyond the imperfections!"

Thank you...