How long until drinking alcohol after surgery?

I had surgery almost exactly 1 month ago. Everything has been going great. I am down 45 lbs already which blows my mind (I have a hard time seeing the weight loss but others around me say they really notice. Just body image I guess) Anyways, the only thing I really miss is being able to have a drink once in awhile with friends. How long after surgery did everyone wait after surgery before trying a drink? I have heard everything from 2 months to a year. Im not looking to go nuts or anything. Just have a beer or something once and awhile. Also, have you have carbonation after the surgery? If so how has that affected you? Thanks

Carbonated beverages should be avoided always.

I strongly recommend that you read up on cross addictions before drinking any alcohol at all. For many people it is the beginning of failure and regain. I'm sure some people can handle the occasional glass of wine, but many of us cannot. I am a cannot. We process alcohol differently - it hits you faster than those who have not had this surgery. I regained a lot of weight before I got a handle on myself and quit drinking completely and went back to the basics.

Of the 100 plus pound regain, I have gotten nearly 80 off again and it was harder this time around. I regret the day I ever had that first glass of wine (it is loaded with empty calories and makes snacking seem like a good idea).

Talk to your doctor's office about alcohol and carbonation. Do a search on this website about alcohol.

"Carbonated beverages should be avoided always."

A myth. It is physically impossible for carbonation to permanently stretch your pouch. Avoiding it because it makes you uncomfortable is fine (because it does make a lot of people uncomfortable)... but don't feed into falsehoods that are are not supported by basic anatomy and physiology knowledge please.

Audrey

Great to hear things are going well for you at one month post-op; your 45 lb weight loss is great, too. Following the plan will keep things going great and wonder if planning to have one beer once in while can lead to a few beers a few times too many. As a new WLSer seeking a healthier life, it is advised to rethink alcohol consumption. I am thankful alcohol isn't an attraction and am surprised the once attraction to pop is gone. Unfortunately, it has been replaced with coffee so there's need for reflection in front of a mirror. Stay the course for optimal success, you won't regret it--comment meant for both of us.

Coffee Update: since typing the above reply yesterday, I drank half the usual amount today. Then it happened....tonight, when ordering a Starbucks, who should I see there but the local WLS surgeon; it felt like a giant omen to try harder or else.

Your beautiful liver is working overtime processing all that fat breakdown. You don't want to tax it. Also it's a lot of empty calories. I know it's fun to hang out with beers with the guys..how about a non caloric drink this year to keep your body losing weight the most quickly and efficiently ?

Deb T.

6 years post op I do drink diet soda. However, I did not for at least a year post op, and it really doesn't taste good after being away from it for an extended time.

I don't drink alcohol at all, but based on the experience of WLS friends, be very careful. I personally know quite a number (over 10) who have moved from food addiction to alcoholism as a transfer addiction. In every case, drinking has contributed to significant regain. But the pain of alcohol abuse is a whole different level. And nobody expects this to happen to them.

I signed a contract with my surgeon saying I would NEVER drink alcohol again. I don't think it's legally binding, but that is how serious my surgeon is about abstaining from alcohol after wls.

I am not on my soap box. I just know I can not drink anymore. It impairs my judgment. It makes me want to eat. You are in your major part of losing your excess weight so I would not drink if I were you.

We have to retrain our minds from what our lives used to be like. We can be social and not drink. I used to hate to hear that but it is true. My doctor allowed us to drink at 6 months. I will be honest I wish he didn't. I know I would have lost more weight than I have already.

I do not drink diet soda it hurts my pouch. I also know when I drank diet soda I made excuses for eating certain foods.

You are doing great losing 45 pounds in the first month. Be proud of yourself for getting yourself healthy.

My surgeon said 3 to 6 months for alcohol, but I wish they would have just said 6 months. My opinion is that it would be preferable to wait one year. I don't drink more than one or two drinks in a week, but I worry that it taxes my liver too much anyway. Your liver has to process the fat you lose, so the faster you are losing, the harder your liver is working. As for carbonation, my impression is that the recent trend is to recommend waiting six months. There is evidence that it can be bad too soon after surgery or if you drink it with food, but that's all I could find. I choose to try it after six months, and it does not bother me. Just don't try regular soda. Caloric beverages are pretty much the easiest way to gain weight back.