RNY and alcohol consumption

Hi all,

At this point I have started the process for the RNY surgery. I am 31 YO, 5' and 260lbs (BMI approx. 50). I would like to ask about alcohol consumption and what realistic expectations are for post surgery life. I still like to go out with family and friends and I don't consider myself to have a drinking problem whatsoever but I would be considered a binge drinker at times. I just want to know what I can expect in the 1st year and long term. Thanks in advance for any and all responses

Any alcohol you consume will be immediately passed into your bloodstream...including from medications  . you will have very little tolerance. If you don't think you can handle doing without, you should not have surgery...I am 20 yr post op WLS, and I still miust sit on the bed to take cold medication if it has alcohol I only take half/childs dose.

Most bariatric programs will tell you to avoid or not to have it post-op op... not a scientist at all so you can google the details but basically... how we metabolize alcohol changes with our changed anatomy... lack of enzymes breaking down the booze, lack of pyloric valve, so it hits pretty hard, pretty fast, and that makes it more damaging to our organs than pre-op. 

My personal experience: http://theworldaccordingtoeggface.blogspot.com/2012/06/life- after-weight-loss-surgery-q_27.html

I know that you said that you "don't consider yourself to have a drinking problem what-so-ever," but in the next sentence you stated that you'd be considered a "binge drinker" at times.

Binge drinking is a problem.

The fact that this concerns you enough to question "realistic expectations" also raises red flags.

After surgery, not only does the way you metabolize alcohol change, but your liver is also overburdened -- especially during the weight loss stage.  Adding alcohol to your taxed liver is very hard on it.  Additionally, it is counter productive to weight loss.  Finally,  cross addiction to alcohol is much greater with post-RNY patients -- even ones who hardly drank before.  Considering that you've already stated that you've a tendency to binge drink, you may be at higher risk.

Certainly during the first year, at the peak of your honeymoon period, it is unwise to drink.  I hope you will consider researching all the risks and tread carefully when you decide to drink again.  I wish you nothing but success in your future.

drink all you like as soon as you are ready for your weight loss to stop and regain to start.

That and she could become a raging alcoholic like so many who transfer their addiction to alcohol when they can no longer eat large quantities of food.

I personally don't plan on touching it again. I have an acquaintance who was a binge drinker pre op. Fast forward ten years post op and three dwi's later her life has been crushed by alcoholism. She lost a very good job her driving license and is facing jail time. She's been to rehab twice. Transfer addiction is very real and we must be completely aware of it. Her experience was enough to keep me away from alcohol. 

I can understand wondering about alcohol after surgery. I have to say if you want to lose weight and keep it off alcohol will stop the process. 

You have to look at why you binge drink. I have been known to do it. I usually figure out something is not going the way I planned and I would not want to feel. 

I do go out a lot. I drin****asionally. One drink can throw you for a loop. Not a good one either. My doctor said one drink will make us legally drunk. 

I am not judging you. I am just giving you my story. I know I would have lost a lot more weight if I didn't drink at all when I was in the honeymoon period. 

Focus on getting healthy and how good you will feel about yourself.

Binge drinking is a drinking problem. 

Alcohol consumption was one of the biggest things they warned us about in our group sessions prior to surgery.  They said there was an increasing number of people becoming alcoholics post-op.  Personally I've had a few drinks post-op but I never had more than one in a night and it was usually a light beer (which is almos****er anyway).  I also waited until I was at my goal weight.  I certainly wouldn't suggest drinking at all if you even remotely had a problem pre-op and it certainly sounds like you might have

What everyone else said... After RNY you will no longer have a stomach but a "funnel" that dumps directly into your small intestine. The "mildest" problems you could have is severe (cross addiction) to Alcohol because it affects you more stronger...The worst (Binge drinking) is alcohol poisoning, coma and or death (Not to mention liver problems.....NOT fun). Also many medications (Nyquil, Zzquil) have alcohol in them. Always read the label.  Please, if you can avoid it at all cost, AVOID alcohol like the plague, it doesn't go well with post RNY surgery.

Warmly,

Jackie