Drinknig post-op

I have a drink on a rare ocasion, but would like to have one while out at a large celebration uptown next weekend.  I would be 2 months post-op do you think 1 vodka cranberry would hurt?

Never - I repeat NEVER - try something for the first time when you're out in public...  That applies to drinking perhaps even more than eating...

Try your vodka cranberry at home, and see how you and your pouch handles it.  Then try something that requires hand-to-eye coordination and reaction time (like playing a computer game?) while someone (who hasn't been drinking) watches over your shoulder.  Then listen to what they say about how you reacted. 

I haven't tried drinking (really not much of a drinker anyway), but those who have post-RNY say we can be really cheap dates - doesn't take much to get us pretty drunk.  Wouldn't want to be in a situation where I had to drive after a drink of two, since the alcohol hits your body like a freight train. 

 GREAT reply from Jim, such wisdom!

WHEN you are ready to try a nip, do it at home first.  Jim is right, us post RNYers are really cheap drunks.  

More importantly, is the timing.  Most surgeons and physicians recommend waiting at least 4-6 months post op before trying alcohol.  At 2 mos post-op, you are still healing.  You may find that the alcohol really doesn't make your pouch happy at all.

Be careful out there!  Mike

Not trying to gang up on you but count me in with the others about not having any hooch any time soon.  

Your original equipment stomach and it's contents acted like rip rap to the alcohol reaching your small intestine and being absorbed.  Now it goes straight to the small intestine, the alcohol gets absorbed and it gives you a cheap(er) buzz.  Also during weight loss you are putting one hell of a strain on your liver.  Add metabolizing alcohol to that and your liver may be begging for mercy.

Wow - 0bvious when pointed out, but I didn't even think about the impact to the liver!  Good catch!

I was never much of a drinker,, so avoiding it hasn't been a problem for me, but I too was told to wait at least 6 months.. Even if you have experimented with a few sips at home,, you could run into some problems.
I lady in my support group was telling us about an horrendous experience she'd had with a glass of wine at a conference she attended.  She'd had some wine at home (She's 9 months out) and had no reaction (other than the alcohol effects being multiplied) but at this conference, where she hadn't eaten much she actually passed out and wet herself.. and they called the paramedics...
She was totally embarassed, and figures the wine she drank was probably a lot sweeter than what she'd tried at home, plus she was drinking it on an empty stomach..

At two months out.. I don't think you'd want to be trying this.. especially at a public event..
J

I have an "occasional" Micro-brew, maybe one every other week. No problems other than buzz city but it tastes soooo good!

When you decided to have WLS I'm sure your intentions were to follow the rules.  Not drinking alcohol for 6 months seems to be a very small concession to be thin and healthy.  You have 1 drink and that's it?  Then you have 1 donut, and that's it, then 1 dorito um 1 bag of dorito's. 

Do you get it???

We are here o keep you on the straight and narrow.  You're welcome.

I have been called all sorts of names and demonized as the incarnation of Lucifer himself for this over on the RNY board, but I'll repeat myself here.  These are my personal opinions and experiences.  Everyone can see from my surgery date that I am new to this -- though I have lost 130 lbs, normalized my blood sugar, blood pressure, etc.  Since my dates are public, you can take my experience for what it is worth.

My personal experience with alcohol is not anywhere near as dire as others have posted.  A drink or two at two months out won't kill you.  If you weren't one before, you won't become and instant drunk who then goes on to crave crack.  In my own experience, I did not notice much difference between before surgery and after when metabolizing alcohol, but I should say that I have only had small amounts and I do limit myself greatly because I don't want the calories.  However, I was not knocked on my butt an ounce of Scotch.

My surgeon, Dr. David Lautz, who is well respected and practices at the Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, MA advises people *****ally want to drink a little to wait six weeks for things to heal after surgery.  He then cautions people that drinking lots of alcohol can lead to gaining all of your weight back and he explains that he has patients who have done just that.  A bottle of wine has 750 to 1000 calories.  He also cautions people that the effects of alcohol my hit you sooner, but will not be any worse than before.  My experience backs this up.

Yes folks, that's right, he said six weeks.  I first heard him make these comments during an info session in a room with a 100 people when someone asked a question.  His attitude is that you are and adult, and most adults incorporate alcohol into their lives in some way.  He is not big on dispensing drama filled, finger-wagging, preachy advice.

Now some might want to criticize Dr. Lautz, or call him an idiot for his advice.  I would consider myself to be very lucky to be half the idiot he is.

So there you have it.  I'm not telling you what to do.  In one surgeon's opinion, and in one patient's experience, there is no medical reason why you can't take a drink once in a while after things heal a bit, as long as you realize that alcohol is a calorie-dense liquid which goes right through you pouch and into your digestive system.  Of course drinking lots of it can also cause you liver problems.  Would I drink a glass of wine every day? No.  But an ounce of vodka or a glass of wine on occasion?  Not a big deal.