Happy Hour

I've found that LOTS of places have sugar-free lemonade in the soda fountain, so I usually get that when going to a brewpub or similar place. That would be one to ask about. You can also ask if they can dress up some water for you, fancy-style! Still water with mint and lime is fabulous, and looks like a ****tail if they put it in a fancy glass.

I've found the key is to be really nice to the servers or whoever is taking the drink orders. When they're going around, you can (quietly) say something like, "I don't drink, do you have anything nonalcoholic that's not fizzy?" I've never had anyone look at me funny for it, and it's never been a big deal as long as I'm polite. Usually the servers are very helpful! :)

My nephews wedding was when I was 2 months post op. I had water in a short glass with a lime! It looked like I was drinking vodka and tonic. The bartender asked me if I was a friend of bills and I didn't know who the hell bill was.....so I said yes. Apparently that is code for a recovering addict! Lol, the bartender hooked me up all night and no one was none the wiser! 

LOVE that tip :)

be prepared for your weight loss to stop or a gaintoccur if you go this route. Alcohol is a sure fire weight loss stopper.

I didn't try drinking for at least two months post op.  But once I did it the alcohol did affect me a lot differently.  At first when I would drink it would hit me realy fast, but not last for very long.  But that got back to normal over time.  The long term difference is that I don't get hangovers.  I might be tired and not feeling exactly 100%, but I don't get those debilitating "I'm never drinking again" hangovers that I would get before surgery.  Not sure that's a good thing though!!

If I was going to drink alcohol in front of my peers for political reasons... It would not be a first time try after WLS.  Pre OP I drank alcohol frequently for pain control.  I make wine and bottled up the last I had fermenting.  I had 1/2 glass recently.  It was like drinking a whole bottle.  It put me in the bed.  Almost all day.  Felt awful even the next day.  I would not have done well in a social setting.  No concern for transfer addiction cause I hate the results.  I am almost nine months out.    

I like the water and lemon idea! Or something that looks ****tail-fancy. Let the naysayers do and say what they will, but each person's recovery is different and ultimately you should listen to your doctor. My surgeon and nutritionist tell me I can drink after 3 months and I absolutely plan on doing so, when the occasion arises. I likely will never drink beer again (or at least not in the quantities I have in the past), but I am still looking forward to happy hours or boozy brunches with friends and wine. I love wine. The key is to be prepared and to adjust - I make sure I am always actively aware of the transfer issue, and can plan for the negative diet effects of drinking - by adding on exercise that day, staying away from "bad" foods during and after drinking, etc.