Alcohol after WLS

I wish we could get a definitive, medical word on this issue  ..  "Debbie", the member first quoted in the good doc's article, claims that her sugeon told her that "1 drink = 4" in a post-op, but your source apparently says 1 drink = 2. Tammy,    Ugh!    I would think also, it would depend on the type of surgery, since a pouch = about 1 oz., a sleeve, anywhere from 2-6 oz., and a banded stomach, any size, depending on the "fill" ..  

 I did my own research using a BAC meter and wine (which showed, after a full-sleeve meal, my BAC went  to .08% w/i 20 minutes of the drink, the legal limit in most states) ..  I would think that reading to be rather "quick" or "high" for only one drink, but since I never tested myself before WLS I don't know how much of a difference the surgery made in that regard  ...  

 Bottom line, I guess, is that post-ops who do any drinking should seriously consider buying one of those little portable personal breathalyzers and check themselves before driving and such .  I got mine on Ebay for under $40.    

It's been 7-1/2 years since my RNY. It's somewhat curious to me that the focus here seems to be on the alcohol and getting drunk.  That's easier than ever to do. However, getting "goofy" isn't my thing - there was enough of that in a younger day.

I don't like getting a "buzz" on and stop well before that point. The reason I drink beer and wine is because of the taste, and the fact that they tend to be "dry" or not sweet. Most commercial beverages are nauseatingly sweet, or they don't have a satisfying taste. With a bit of beer or wine I can sip and enjoy the flavor. Unfortunately, they come packed with calories I could do better without. There are no easy answers.

Tim 

Tacomadragon has issues...this is quite clear.  Enough said.  This site is getting out of hand.  I think I'm all set.

Hi everyone... I was doing a search on others who've dealt with alcohol issues after surgery and found this thread. Though this thread is supposed to be about experiences and such, I seem to be reading alot of bashing and opinions against other people for drinking.  I'm just writing this to share my experiences with alcohol for anyone considering having a drink or two and thinking it will not bother them because they were "never big drinkers before surgery".  I think we are all different... we all have different frames of mind and we all "feel" differently after having a drink or two... and, this is just my story.

I had RNY just one short year ago.... April 4th, 2012.  Less than a week after my surgery I developed complications and had to have a second surgery... this time needing to be opened from breast bone to naval.  I had 3 different drains placed and was unable to eat or even drink water for about 10 weeks.  I had a PICC line in my arm, I couldn't shower alone, and I was constantly nauseous and in pain.  I was so tired all the time because I could never get comfortable enough to sleep for more than an hour or two at a time.  Once I was cleared to start taking in fluids again I was put on liquid pain killer and I noticed that when I would take it, it would make me feel better almost instantly.  I could feel my body getting warm and numb and after all I had dealt with over those prior 2 months it was a nice and comforting to feel "normal" again.  I had only 1 refill on the bottle and by the time it was gone I was feeling better so I didn't think much of it. 

Then about 2-3 months later I had my first real "outing" with a group of relatives the night before our family reunion.  I had a vodka & cranberry and noticed that it gave me that same warm, comforting feeling that the pain killer had given me.  This was the beginning of my downfall.  The following week I bought a bottle of vodka to have at home and over the next month, I managed to empty it... mixing it with (like someone else I think had mentioned) crystal light.  Thinking (at the time) that if I was mixing it with something non-caloric that it wouldn't really affect my weightloss, but again... I was wrong.  I too was never a big drinker before surgery, it always made me sick, even just a couple, but... not anymore.  I could get a good "buzz" going and wake up just fine the next morning.  As of today, I have had more to drink in the last 6 months than I've had in the last 10 years.  I'm certainly NOT proud to be sharing this and I know I have a problem that needs to be addressed... NOW.  I'm more worried about the damage I'm doing to myself and I can't seem to understand why I am always self destructing.  I spent my entire life obese because I couldn't control my addictions to food, I spent 15 years of my life as a smoker to try and get away from the food, and now to make up for the food I can't handle eating... I drink.  I read about cross addiction and listened to others stories and was always the one to say "Why would someone go through all the work to have this surgery just to **** it all away"?  But, the truth of the matter is... some of us have addiction issues that we just don't see I guess... I don't really know.  I never thought this would be me.  I don't drink every day, but probably about 3-4 nights a week I will sit at home.... alone and have 2-3 drinks.  I can also relate to those who say they don't remember things.  I too have started to really lose my memory.  I get thinking about all the things that are going wrong in my life when I'm drinking... and I know that if I don't get a hold on this soon, it's not going to end well.  There is a history of mental illness in my family and I'm really scared that this could be some manifestation of that.  I really don't want to damage the gift I've been given or spiral too out of control. 

Last week, I found a psychiatrist through my insurance and I have my first appt with her next week.  I'm sure I should have started seeing her right after my surgery last year but... "I was fine, I didn't need to see a therapist", or so I kept saying.  But, truth be told, I didn't spend my life fat and miserable because I enjoyed it... I did because I didn't know how else to channel the troubles in my head.  I don't know how to love myself and be happy... but, I'm hoping therapy will help me see WHY I do the things I do to myself and help me find a way to deal with with life on a daily basis without the crutch of food, drugs or alcohol.  This surgery may have helped me drop weight, but it doesn't fix the fact that my dog died, that I hate my job but can't quit because I can't afford to and there really are no other jobs available right now.  The fact that I never went to college, or that I'll be 35 this year and still don't have any children and the list goes on. 

My best advice for any "newbies" out there looking to "try" a drink and see how it goes... just don't... unless you're already in some sort of therapy working on the things that got you so overweight in the first place, like me, you may find you really like how it makes you feel.... more than you may want it to. 

Again... this post is NOT meant for anything other than information to those who seek another persons experience with alcohol and how this surgery can be both a blessing and a curse.  I know what I'm doing with drinking is wrong and I'm working to get my life back in control so I really don't need anyone telling me how stupid I am or coming down on me about my mistakes... none of us is perfect... that's how we all got here to begin with. 

Best of luck to you all and God bless.... Kelly

I had surgery in 2004 and started drinking again in 2005 (formerly a "social" drinker).  I rapidly became a "blackout" alcoholic.  I almost lost everything.  I've been sober since November '08 with the help of AA.  I didn't receive counseling after surgery and experienced addiction transfer at it's finest.  Don't go there, it's not worth it.