Can alcohol physically damage the pouch?

 I've had wine maybe twice since my surgery. I don't want to make it a habit at all because I hear so many people with transfer addictions. But I was wondering if alcohol can physically damage the pouch? I had some wine last night and when it gets to my stomach it burns in a way where it didn't before surgery.

Your pouch does not have all the acids, etc. that your natural stomach had, so it is a little more vulnerable to things that you put in it than your stomach, and it is not surprising that alcohol might burn.  I have not heard anything about any actual damage caused by anything, however.  If something could physically damage the pouch I'm sure there would be warnings about it all over the place!

Lora

My surgeon's surgical nurse attends 2 of my support meetings monthly. She has stated many times that alcohol is more damaging to the internal organs of a post op than a non wt loss pateint.  Each patient is somewhat different, BUT, there is one 23 year old woman in one of my support group who ended up with 3 ulcer surgeries.  She began smoking again AND went out partying on a regular basis. She freely admitted taking shooters and passing out.  DAVE

The doctors and nutritionists at my clinic say that alcohol increases your risk for ulcers. Since RNY patients are already at higher risk for ulcers, that makes alcohol unadvisable. Apparently, the ulcers often form along the staple line where the pouch is created.

Alchohol will not directly damage your pouch - but it DOES increase the possibility of ulcers and issues with other internal organs. Basically what Dave said. And women tend to have a harder time metabolizing alcohol pre-op, post-op and non-op.

Having said all that, I've had a few glasses of wine (never more than a glass and 1/2) since surgery as well as a mixed drink or two on occasion and have not had issues.

Might be best to think of it like everthing else - moderation is usually the best guideline.

And, you've prob heard this before but I am posting for possible newbies: NEVER EVER DRINK AFTER DRIVING POST OP. Even though you feel completely "sober" you will still likely blow a positive reading on the BA. Something scientific about the way we metabolize alcohol postop, and I'm sure someone can look it up, but it is almost universal, across the board that we can feel and function just fine shortly after drinking and still have toxic levels of alcohol in our blood. BE CAREFUL=)

 Thanks for the info everyone. I agree that moderation is the key. And super moderation because of ulcers.