If you could turn back time...

I had my first drink around 8 months post-op. I never drank more than 2 drinks and never drank more than once a month. About 18 months ago, I gave it up completely. With my rearranged anatomy, I am worried about the effects on my organs. I plan to be around for a long time so I want my organs to be as healthy as possible. For me, the risk was not worth it.

I have several close friends who also had RNY who drink a lot. I worry about them.

Simple answer : Don't drink. At all. 

Plus.. Every time I start drinking more wine - I start gaining weight... Ugh.. 

So if anything else does not convince you - - if you want your weight loss to stall or stop... Wine or other alcohol will help with that.  And after the honeymoon- alcohol may contribute to weight gain.. 

So true!! I guess vanity keeps me off alcohol, too. I like being at my goal weight.

I think it just depends on you. I wasn't really a drinker before WLS because of migraines. I'm only 9 months out and I've had a few glasses of white wine - maybe 5 or 6 total in the last 3 months. It's usually when I'm traveling with my friends or at a special occasion at a restaurant. But I could take it or leave it. When I do drink I'm conscious of how many calories I've had that day and I only have one glass. I'm fairly confident I won't have a problem with alcohol.

Be careful, Melinda. I don't think anyone who starts drinking thinks it will become a problem.

Very true! I don't keep wine in the house and when DH has brought it home for a celebration I've thrown it away because I know it will just go to waste. I'm aware it can become a problem after the surgery and I think that's important.

The simplest answer is, of course, don't start now-or ever. If you are really struggling with the decision, I think that is an answer in itself to just skip the drinking. Like Grim said..no one NEEDS alcohol.

I honestly can't remember how long I waited to start drinking...LOL. I know that sounds bad; like I blacked out from it or something, but in truth...my memory just sucks.

I keep alcohol in my house. It doesn't tempt me. I don't feel its pull. It's there because I cook with it. I do enjoy a glass of wine once in a while. I mean like..once every few months. Wine kicks my ass, to be blunt. I no longer enjoy the feeling of being drunk, so I nurse a glass for a long time.

The few times I have had hard alcohol...I was a hot mess, so now I just avoid it completely. I actually made a video of myself after drinking vodka. It wasn't pretty.

Hah. I keep alcohol in my house because it moved in with me over 12 years ago, and I can't stand the thought of throwing it out. I might have a guest someday who wants a drink... I guess you can say it doesn't call my name like chocolate or nuts, which stay out of my house, would. I do tend to stay away from alcohol, and have for years even before my surgery because it gave me acid reflux. Now, I especially do not want to worry about acid, so I just don't drink.

Thanks to everyone who took the time to respond! 

I will say that I do drin****asionally. I enjoy the taste of good liquor and wine, and my profession is known for drinking. I could not imagine never tasting a good wine or liquor again. But I drink really slow, and counting the calories keeps me in check. I can nurse one drink for hours. At events, I generally carry around the same drink for hours. That way I don't get out of control, but no one bothers me about not drinking. I also just accept a glass of wine with dinner, take a couple of sips before I start eating, and then just leave it there. No one ever seems to notice that I'm not actually drinking it. So I believe it is possible to drink after wls without it becoming a problem, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't be extra cautious because that is not the case for everyone.