Need advice

Hi everyone

I need some input.  I am going to NYC for New Year's eve and will have my first drink(s) since surgery.  I know wine is one option.  I like vodka and wondering if anyone had suggestions on mixers with it that I can get  at the bar.  Does OJ and cranberry juice have too much sugar?

Any ideas of what I can have so I wont' dump?

Thanks.
Geoff 

I dump on ALL fruit juices. So I wouldn't even attempt Oj. Even though you can find low sugar at the store, no bar or restaurant will have it handy.

My advice? Decide now and maybe try a drink at home. Drinking your first drink out in public is a little dangerous.

I didn't try any alcohol until about a year post op. So I don't know if that makes a difference or not. Now, I tend to stick to Jack Daniels, SoCo, or Captain with a diet soda. Once they pour the soda in the glass, it fizzes out alot and I tend to stir it some more with the straw and make it "flatter", if that makes any sense.

Good luck, and have fun!

I don't drink alcohol (didn't before surgery either) so you are sure to get some more sage advice than mine...but I would be very cautious about the alcohol so shortly after surgery. It could pack a wallop!

Juices are very concentrated sources of sugar. My nutrition guide says a serving of juice is 1/4 cup (2 ounces). However, until I was on regular foods, I was advised to dilute juices 50% with water.

Geoff -
I say try it at home first.  See how you do.
Lisa

I'm with the rest, try it at home first.  I've had wine with no issues.  i've had vodka with diet cranberry juice, gin and diet tonic water and Jack Daniels with diet Sprite.  Geez, I sound like a real lush.  I assure you it's not all in one sitting and its more the exception than the rule.  The problem with drinking out is that most places only have a diet cola.  Good luck and enjoy your trip to NYC.

4 mos. out is a little soon to try any alcohol.  Just my 2 cents worth.

Alcohol after WLS
What You Need To Know
by Connie Stapleton, PhD

"My surgeon's office repeatedly told us 'No alcohol for a year'," Debbie from NY shared in response to OH Magazine's inquiry about how alcohol affects people after they have WLS. In addition, members were asked how alcohol affected their post-op weight loss. Debbie went on to share her physician's reasons for his recommendation. First, alcohol can irritate the newly created pouch. Secondly, her doctor informs her that alcohol has an exaggerated effect on patients after surgery, noting that one drink has the equivalent effect of four drinks. Finally, alcohol, he teaches, is nothing more than empty calories with no nutritional value. Debbie said, "With all that we are trying to accomplish with weight loss, why take in more than you really need?"

Although Debbie may not drink, the majority of post-ops, based on those *****sponded, do consume alcohol after WLS. In addition, almost all of them concurred that alcohol affects them much more quickly than it did before having weight loss surgery. The specific procedure doesn't...Read More and have a chance to WIN a copy of Eat It Up! by Connie Stapleton, Ph.D.

I too think it is too soon to try alcohol. And if you try it at home first that doesn't guarantee that you will be ok later to drink it out. Lots of times you can be fine with something one day and then later have issues with it, and I am sure you don't want to ruin your celebration with a dumping issue. If you just want to toast in the new year, maybe try just a sip of diet soda or sparkling water. Lots of people celebrate the new year without a drink. Just a thought. If you do want to try a drink I would definitely try it at home first and then ask the bar tender to mix it with less than the normal amount of alcohol. Have a wonderful time. NYC at New Year's would be absolutely amazing.

I was told 6 mos before alcohol.  The little pouch, especially early out, is very susceptible to ulcer formation etc.

That being said...I will do vodka with crystal lite.  I bring a packet of whatever flavor crystal lite I want (normally raspberry or iced tea) ask for a large glass of water and a shot of vodka.  Make up the crystal lite in the glass of water and add the vodka.

I also do malibu bay breezes - however - they contain BOTH OJ and Cranberry juice....so I'd be REAL careful with that.  I personally don't dump on fruit juices, so I'm ok with it. 

Definately try it at home first.  And load up on water before, during, and after.  I get sooooo hung over due to dehydration after drinking even just one or two ever since surgery.  Alcohol is a diuretic - a very potent one at that.

Pam

I strongly recommend no alcohol for the first year.
But if you are going to do it i would do it at home first.

Vodka and crystal light with ice and water is what I drink

Geoff sweetie this is where I become a hag so be ready for this.  Out of concern and being a "fella" wls I want to know where you even think wine is any option or any alcohol?  Option no choice yes.  Why at 3 months out would you think alcohol is acceptable?  Sorry this is where some of us gets tough when some of us needs it!  OJ has acid and cranberry too much sugar.  I personally would go with decaf iced tea sounds boring? Its a safe choice and your question of any ideas of having something where you won't dump?  Well lets not put the New Years off to a uncomfortable start. Even before I had wls I always thought to myself why do some people feel that alcohol and food are ways of celebrating the holidays I mean come on the holidays are about what the meaning of them stand for.  Please don't be mad if I didn't care I wouldn't have rolled up my sleeves and typed this.