alcohol after surgery

Posting under a different user name, want to be anonomous.  I'm 3 years out, social now, and feel I'm drinking too much.   I'm not alcoholic, never had a prob with alcohol.  It hits me fast, having fun socially once a week, maybe twice and feel guilty the day after I indulge.  I am 61, medically in poor health until after surgery.  I wonder if I'm trying to recap the 15 years I felt so crummy. 

Please share experience and opinion. Thx.

I do drink some on weekends. I try hard not to have much as I order and drink a lot of water at the same time. The drinks do hit harder thus I really limit myself. I get teased about all the water I drink but I don't care. I have just as much fun....maybe more!!

Be careful....I can see how that could lead to another addiction!

HUGS...connie d

Glad you responded.  I also drink water in between, straightens you out and then socially have another. It sneaks up on you, tho, and realize the day after I should have limited myself.  Do you limit yourself to a certain amt or aware of how you're feeling. Thx.

I drink one drink every hour to hour and a half....at least 2 LARGE waters in between. Limit is three drinks for the night.  I drink raspberry vodka with water. Occasionally at special events I may have a couple more if it will be a very long night. I only drink on weekends....I have no alcohol in my home. I NEVER drink and drive!!

HUGS....connie d

GG,

Hi and only you can determine whether you are drinking too much.. . there are several people in my weightloss support group who became alcoholics after WLS. A part of the problem is that we metabolize alcohol differently, the effect comes and goes quickly and so substantially more alcohol is taken in over the course of an evening to have fun "socially". What you need to also know is this, should you ever be pulled over at a check point, you will register higher than someone who has drunk less then you, even if you are stone cold sober and the effects of alcohol will affect your weightloss, I have seen a whole bunch of folks regain a substantial, if not, all their weight back after getting into the party lifestyle, it doesn't happen all at once, but once it does, well you get the picture. The other thing is alcohol is bad for our bodies and if you find yourself drinking "too much" mostly because the effects wear off and you have a few more, over time your body will become accustomed to that and it may creep up one day and put you at a place where you can no longer be without it in your system, sort of like a "drug addict" needs it to be ok.

Now please understand I am not saying that you ARE alcoholic or drinking as one, but not all alcoholics drink daily, some are "binge drinkers", so if you are asking, then there must be a concern and as I said in the beginning, only you know the truth, but as a member in good standing of Alcoholics Anonymous, with over 24 years of continuous sobriety, as well as a Weightloss Support Group Leader, I can say that you need proceed with caution, as you would not be the first, nor will you be the last, should you find yourself there, with a case of transfer of addiction.

I wish you well and am simply answering your question based on personal experience.

Laureen

Hi Gertie:

I think I have more of a problem with chocolate than alcohol, but I do enjoy a beer or a glass of wine on occasion. I limit myself to one a day, only on days off (or on vacation). It really hits me fast and I know I can't handle more than one. I did have two beers once when I was out, and then I drove myself home. ... I really felt it and shouldn't have driven, but I had no other way to get home. I have never done it again. I've written too many stories about drunken drivers killing whole families so I should know better (and I do). Like I said, I haven't done that again.

I do have booze in the house ... basically beer and wine, but I never have more than one at a time (glass, that is). And I usually follow it with food to sop up the booze. If I'm out drinking, it's one drink and then lots of water. I can nurse a beer for a long time.

Since I know I can be an addict (because I am one of food and overspending), I know enough to watch the alcohol intake. Don't want to add that to the pile.

Dear GardeningGertie,
Yep, alcohol hits us fast then we sober up, then hits us fast again. Every one gave you excellent advice, especially about "transfer addiction".
You are feeling great now and are much more healthy from your weight loss. Drinking will cause havoc with your blood sugars too. Just be really careful. Transfer addictions are very real for all of us.

If you drink just be sure you have a driver. Don't feel guilty about your drinking if that is what you want to do. Just be mindful like our Mindful Eating.
You have admitted that you are drinking too much. How much is too much? And how often are you drinking? Twice a week could be a social drinker or maybe it's also the road to drinking more and more every day. You know what your doing and why.

What does drinking do for you? Does it make you more sociable and relaxed? Can you stop after one or two drinks? What kind of drinks are you drinking, beer? hard liquor? Do you think your more fun to be around when you drink? Are you drinking to be accepted by a group?

We have several members who are alcoholics and speak from experience. I'm not a drinker but I will drink a couple times a year and only one drink. I'm much more fun sober. Besides my father was an alcoholic, recovered but died of a massive heart attack at age 52. I plan to live to a ripe old age and I'd rather eat my calories than drink them.

Just sit back now and contemplate how we have each given you advice. We don't pistol whip any one here, we are here to support you. It's even okay to be anonymous. But please don't feel guilty about drinking or just having one drink. If your feeling guilty then it's time to re-evaluate just why your drinking. I'm rooting for you! Debbiejean

 I am an alcoholic who had been sober for six years, when I relapsed horribly one year post-op. 

You don't have to drink everyday to be an alcoholic. I didn't. 

I have not had a drink in over two years, with the help of treatment and Alcoholics Anonymous. 

If you want to know more, PM me and I'll be happy to share it.