Alcohol

Hi Everyone, I have a question ..... I know we are supposed to avoid alcohol, but I am wondering if anyone has experienced with alcohol. I am going to a celebration this weekend, and would like to have something to drink but I don't want to become ill or mess up my recovery. Any thoughts or suggestions....I am a little past six weeks. As always, thanks for your comments in advance. Jancy

Three words...don't do it! 3 reasons? 1. Alcohol is high in sugar...you might dump 2. Alcohol is high in empty calories and since most of them are sugar, you absorb all of them 3. The alcohol gets into your system very quickly...it only takes a small amount to get drunk Alcohol is also very harsh on your still healing pouch. If you want to try it, wait at least 6 months. I would suggest that you then try it first at home so if it does make you sick, you won't be out in public. Not many things are more embarrassing than hurling on your shoes in public...unless it's hurling on someone else's shoes in public. We are highly prone to transfer addiction and alcoholism is the number 1addiction for post-ops to fall into. Because the alcohol gets into our system so quickly, it also leaves quickly. This means that most post-ops who do drink will continue drinking to keep the buzz going.  The buzz we get from alcohol is similar to the feeling we looked for in food. Recovering alcoholics usually turn to high sugar, high carb foods to replace the feeling they got from alcohol. Do you see the connection?  **My information comes largely from growing up with an alcoholic parent who became sober when I was 13. He then went to college and became a drug & alcohol abuse counselor and AA speaker. That's my .02 anyway.

Thank you Susan, I am convinced drinking alcohol would be a huge mistake. Alcoholism is not a stranger to me. My Mother died at 57 because of it. Life is about living. Thanks for reminding me what I "don't" want to become. Thank you for taking the time to help keep me on tract. Jancy

Hi Jancy! Personally, I would tell you not to do it. Only because you are 6 weeks out from surgery and that will more than likely cause you to dump. One thing you do not want to do is have a dumping syndrome in public. If After about 6 months, and you want to drink, you really need to "test" it in the comfort of your own home. Because the alcohol gets in your systme VERY quickly so it only takes a very small amount ot make you "drunk". But then it also leaves your system quickly. And like Susan said, a lot of WLS patients can become "addicted" to alcohol use. Especially because of the highs and lows of it. It is different on us than other people. Also, it is a transferance of addictions. I have never tried alcohol since surgery and do not tend to but I know one night we ate at the Melting Pot and they cooked their cheese sauce with beer and there meat sauce with wine and I was feeling really weird after just eating the food that was cooked in beer and wine. I never really drunk before surgery so it is not a big deal for me to not do it. And I do not think anyone can tell you to not ever drink. But please head or warnings about doing it so soon after surgery and if you ever do try it, do it in your own home until you know what it will do to you. 

Thank you for your comments.....I cannot imagine going through these day to day changes without all this support. You are all great.....I feel like a part of a wonderful group of people and together we can and will succeed. No alcohol for me......nada....none..... Thank you, Jancy