Alcohol After WLS

Dear OH Members,

After WLS, alcohol can affect you twice as much as it did when you were a pre-op.  OH Magazine/Newsletter would like to learn your prospective and hear about some of your personal expierences.  How has alcohol affected your post-op weight loss and your ability to consume even small amounts? You can post here or email me privately if you wish to remain anonymous.  [email protected]
 

PLEASE have info on how alcohol consumption affects your vitamin levels.  My understanding is it seriously depletes the B's causing potentially deadly issues.

I don't drink very often, but even a few sips of a drink hits me hard.  I think Kris is correct on depletion of vitamins/nutrients.  People should think long and hard about drinking often or on a regular basis when they already have malabsorption issues.  It's sure not worth risking vitamin and nutrient deficiency issues!

Karla

Less than 1/2 a drink and I'm singing "If you're happy and you know it, clap your hands".  Then 30 minutes later I'm completely back to normal.  I usually don't take more than 2 sips cuz I hate being out of control and refuse to waste the calories.

I can only drink 1/2 glass of wine before I feel tipsy and than it wears off in about 30 min. I've only tried to drink a margarita twice since having surgery over two years ago. Hits me hard, but also makes my stomach hurt. Just not worth it. I choose not to drink often.

Lynnette

I've found that since surgery I have a very low tolerance of alcoholic beverages.  I've only drank on 3 or 4 occasions, but each time the effects of the alcohol were felt very quickly.  I have not noticed the "sobering up" happening any quicker than before WLS.

The fear of getting sick or the alcohol "hitting me hard" controls how much I drink now, post op.  I usually take a drink of my beer or bloody mary, then a drink of water;  also I drink a lot slower nowadays, it will take me all night to finish one drink.  Drinking is really not that enjoyable for me anymore since my surgery, on the plus side I am not  hungover and don't feel like crap the next day.  See what growing up does for ya! 

I had a very low tolerance before WLS for alcohol so The only bit I have had since is communion wine a couple of times!! I got buzzed off of it so I gave it up to! In fact I just get blessed at the alter because the wafers get stuck!! God understands!!

Meggie

Tammy, I travel for business and have occassions for drinks in this setting.  Personally, I find that one glass of wine hits hard, but is relaxing - it's not a sloppy drunk kind of thing and it wears off quickly too.  However, I will NOT drive if I've even had part of a glass of wine, so I plan accordingly.   When home and meeting friends for drinks/dinner - we all joke that I'm a cheap date, appeitizer and one drink and I'm done.   Would like to add though that the alcohol plays heck with my blood sugar levels, especially if indulging in more than 1 drink, or a mixed drink (with juice) - something to consider for those who are hypoglycemic after RNY.  In general, I live my life by moderation since surgery and that includes alcohol - I don't abstain, but don't go crazy either.  Hope this helps.

 I had my first drink a few days ago, it was something I dont think I will be repeating anytime soon.

First I was on a wine tour with my Aunt ( no one knows in my family about my WLS) 
The 1st drink was hardly noticable more of a relaxed happy, the 2nd slightly better than happy by sample 3 I was about to hit the ground.

 And the sad thing is those were samples not whole glasses.

I dont think I am going to be drinking again for a while, luckly I played it off with my aunt so she never noticed.