Beer Question.

I'm pre op I'm on my 6 month supervised diet. I've cut the beer almost completely I've only had maybe 4 or 5 pints in 3 months. I've lost about 20lbs overall. I know its irrational really because I know I need to lose the weight no matter what the cost in stuff like this.

I'm post op by about a year and a half.  I enjoy a single Coors Lite 2-3 times a week.  I'm cognizant of the empty calories and the alcohol can sneak up on you if you're not careful.

Experiences with beer?????   I had my first beer 7 months post op and I wish I would have went 12 months.  Alcohol will enter your system very fast, but it also metabolizes very fast IE: you get drunk quick and sober up faster than your buddy.

The empty calories are not the problem for me, the problem is the stress it puts on my already overstressed liver, and the dehydration that occurs.  It takes a couple days to get my body back if I have 6-10 beers.

If you drink the home made or full flavored beers you can only get 1 or 2 of them in because you get so full.

My advice it to not use your brewing hobby in your decision to have WLS.  You only need to commit to 1 year without beer, then you will be able to do what you want.  A couple beers per week is not a problem post WLS.

I didn't drink at all for the first 6 months out. Wanted to maximize the loss during the window of opportunity and all that. Didn't drink much during the next 6 months. Here's something I read the other day on the intenet that I'll throw out there: Alcohol inhibits the production of HGH and thus if you're doing weight training and you're trying to recover and rebuild after a tough weight workout, you want to stay off the alcohol or you won't recover properly. Sore muscles just stay sore and don't recover and rebound the way you want them to. That one factoid alone has be limiting my beer drinking to once a week on an evening in which  I didn't work out that day.

I see no point in have alcohol during at least the first year. And trust me, I'm not a hard liner, I don't believe in now allowing some indulgences, but for me alcohol just ain't on that list I guess.

I do look forward enjoying an occassional beer at some point this coming summer... maybe.

Also, keep in mind just because you "sober" up quicker it does not mean you are no longer drunk. I've heard a number of stories of post-ops who felt fine, but got pulled over and their BAC was through the roof.

I love my suds but I can give them up.  The problems for me is going to be the wine and occasional shot of brown liquor.  I do love my wine.  I was in the wine biz for years so have a great love of the vino.  I realize I will have to give it up for awhile but I do hope I can start again in a year.  I can sip on a glass of wine for hours.  The bourbon is another love and I figure that is over with after the surgery.