Alcohol after WLS

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]

I had a sleeve gastrectomy and tried a small sip of wine a few weeks ago and I found that it irritated my stomach so I have not tried any since.   Not worth the ache!

I had RNY 4 months ago. I have had a drink here and there with no effects at all. However, Saturday I was out with my family and had a few more then I expected. I cant say I got drunk but did get a healthy buzz on. I do think it took me much more then I remember pre surgery to catch a buzz but I guess that's the way it is. As far as losing that buzz quickly as I keep hearing people say. I dint think so. Once I stopped drinking I continued to feel the effects of the alcohol for a couple of hours after (I was at the casino so was up way too late playing slots).

Now the next day is when I really felt like crap. I was tired mostly because I was up all night probably not because I was drinking. But, my pouch was a bit sore for the rest of the day. I really had to watch what I ate and stick to water only to drink. Not sure if I was just having a crabby pouch day or if it was from the drinks I had. Which ever it was, I can honestly say I am not swearing off alcohol for ever. I will probably have a drink here and there and not worry about it.

Alcohol isn't my problem, food is.

I enjoy drinking socially and have noticed that alcohol affects me much quicker than before, I drink a bit less than before surgery and I feel that when I stop drinking the alcohol leave my system quicker.

Same here.  I get a buzz a lot quicker and the buzz leaves my system a lot quicker also.  Plus, I don't need nearly as much alcohol as I previously did (only 1 glass of wine).

I am six months post op and I tried a few sips of alcohol.  My ears felt on fire, my face felt flush, and I delevoped a really bad headache.  So needless to say, I won't be drinking alcohol anymore.  Wasn't a big drinker before surgery, so its not a big deal for me.

Just be aware of what drinking alcohol is about.

http://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/RethinkingDrinking/Rethinking_Drinking.pdf

I am 16 months post op from Gastric bypass and am still afriad to drink. I would love drink socially again like I did before but I am scared to try it. I wonder what people are drinking when they do drink? and it the sugar in the Alcohol affects them? I get mild cases of dumping still so I know some of it depends on your body.

There is no reason to drink socially. If you are around people who think less of you for not soaking your pouch in alcohol, find some new companions.

Alcohol damages organs (including your brain) and dehydrates you. People who have had WLS don't need to be dehydrated! My doctor has me off of caffeine because it dehydrates but says nothing about alcohol. I suspect it is because he drinks and can't imagine giving it up.

If you are maintaining your weight loss, horray for you!!! Why would you risk adding empty calories that don't enhance your health?

I'll be following your blogs and forums to find out how you do that. I'm such a food addict, I'm not sure I will be successful.