Can't Shake this Habit

Hi All,

The habit I can't shake is the couple of after work pints of beer. It's my last vice, and along with doing crosswords, is how I unwind after work. No, not every day, but about every other day. Can anyone tell me how much of a negative impact this is? I don't drink to get drunk, but it's an old habit that is hard to change. Like I said, it's a routine to relax after work, and do some socializing, especially since I live alone and am living in a new area with no real friends. Any suggestions/comments?

EDITED: I didn't wait for you to contact me. You've got a message. Good pm JayC, Speaking from MY personal experience here drinking post-op is NOT a good thing in ANY capacity in my opinion. I speak that opinion for more than just personal reasons but for the countless number of folks who've come to have marked issues with alcohol addiction after WLS. I NEVER drank before surgery however, became an alcoholic post-op. Mine started off with sips, then progressed to what I call fruity drinks (fuzzy navels and the like) then hardcore liquor to the point it was ALL I drank was shots, bombs etc. I never drank beer or rarely I should say. The data on addiction after WLS especially with alcohol is substantial now and my strong suggestion to you is to seek help immediately. Personally I never attended AA etc for this though I've been to several meetings but this has been something I've dealt with through my strong support system of fam, friends and docs. I've been sober for 9 months and a few weeks and Life has NEVER been better than stone cold SOBER. Here is a link to an article that will open your eyes quite a bit. Please know that its NEVER too late to make changes in your life for the better. The impacts are VERY negative especially when done in situations like my case. I almost lost my LIFE to alcohol addiction in Sept 2005. That's impact ENOUGH for me. My surgeon's office suggests we DON'T drink and even more so now. There is a wealth of information available to you regarding this subject. If you'd like to talk offline I'd be willing to do so. Please PM (private message me) and I'll be glad to help in any way that I can. Its not an easy path to travel especially when you don't have a great support system around you, living in a new area and such. I am here so please know that. http://www.beyondchange-obesity.com/obesityResearch/precautionsWithAlcohol.html All best!

hi jay. i love crosswords too. i used to be quite the beer drinker as well. i replaced beer with diet soda - that was step down #1. after diet soda i moved onto crytsal light or sugar free kool-aid. and finally - i'm on water. there's nothing like a throwin' back a huge glass of water after a long day. sometimes - i ever drink two! i know, i know - i'm a wild one! kids - don't try this at home!  socialize on the board for now. give yourself some time. you said you living in a "new" area. it's "new".  i move every 2-3 years ( military spouse ) and have become quite anti-social. i figured it was easier not to make friends just to lose them. anti-social bit me in the rear end. i like to socialize, but  keep some distance. this message board is the best. i've even come out of hiding after lurking for months! lurk - it even sounds like a naughty word. have you ever thought about getting a pet? i would be lost without my 2 cats. if i could only teach them to take long walks outside! i've actually consider ed getting a dog just so i have someone to go walking with at my convenience!  habits are like rules. thay are most fun when they are improved upon and changed or broken !  if you are having a hard time with this, get some help. it doesn't mean you're a bad person or anything. alcohol (like food) can be a problem for some. if you plan on having surgery this is more than a serious problem. you can get through this. god bless you. good luck. i'll  be praying for you - mel

Hi Jay!  Well most of the dr.'s & nutritionist will tell you not to drink as it is just wasted calories and can slow your weightloss down or make you gain, the beer is a no no because of the carbonation and the sugar in alcohol or the mixers used with could make you dump.  With our lovely rearranged insides, the alcohol tends to go straight to our system and affects us more than it did presurgery and the addiction issue is a big one.  You have to be the one to make the decision for yourself though.  As for me, was never a big drinker before surgery, not a big one now, and when I do drink I am usually at home or a family members house where I feel really comfortable in case it hits me wrong.

Hi, Jay:  First off, welcome to the area and to the Va Board.  There's a lot of experience and great advice on here.  That said, the information the others have given really says it all.  Everything I have heard is that post-op, avoid alcohol for numerous reasons, and concentrate on liquids that will hydrate you and/or will provide you with such things as protein.  Again, welcome!  :)

You've gotten some great advice....I just wanted to say hello. I'm in NoVa...so maybe we can connect at some point so you don't feel so alone in this "new" place.

Hi JayC, Just wanted to say hi and welcome to the board.............. you do not say if you are post op of pre-op but to be honest you really should not continue to drink after surgery and not every night. You need to find a way to change your habits. Alcohol is not good for us after RNY because we have less stomach for it to go through and it goes straight to the liver and is processed there. It means you get a buzz much faster, then lose it and think you are sober and drink again - except by then the alcohol reading is much higher than you feel..... also early on after surgery you can damage your liver with the alcohol as it i****ting it full strength...... and that can be really bad for you - even fatal! After surgery, that habit can easily get out of control until you are addicited - and that is very difficult  to break. Do you think you can stop drinking the drinks you drink now? Seriously , it would be so much better to get rid of this habit now...... So my suggestion would be to drink something else and keep doing crosswords  - they are good and safe!! Jackie

Hi Everyone, Thanks so much for your replies and information. Just to get myself straight with you, I'm new to the site and have been having trouble finding where to define what procedure I've had (lap band). I thought I was in the Lap Band Virginia forum. Also, I can't find where the link is to show myself as having the band as opposed to the RNY. So, if you know how to do this. please let me know.  Let me say, I understand about the nutrition-less calories, and make sure I limit myself to no more than 2, for that reason, and not wanting to do the DUI thing for safety and legal reasons.  Let me clarify, that I don't go out every night. It's usually about every-other night. So, I don't think my drinking is out of control or a problem. And, "Light" beer should be outlawed. Also, I have only once had trouble getting food to stay down. So I don't really have that problem, I don't get "dumping", and have been virtually "trouble-free" post-surgery. Maybe that's working against me. I don't know. As for counseling, I'm trying to find someone in the Cigna HMO, who's not too far, to address my evening compulsions and the overall things I'm going through with the move and a family issue associated with that. I had two "sister" support groups back home (pre-surgery) and I know from them that the carbonation causes problems, be it beer or soda. I've also been counseled that diet soda isn't too good for you either. I do get my 2 liters/day drinking Crystal Light Cherry/Pomegranate during the day which also satisfies my sweet tooth. I have a cat, and she is seriously neglected when I'm away, and when I'm home, I'm usually online, and as a result, she's not very affectionate or needy. Since I'm not a by-pass patient, I don't get the serious drunken-ness on a little liquor, as RNY patients get. To clarify again, I don't drink to get drunk, but for me, it's more about getting out of the apartment, meeting people for conversation, doing my puzzles (which I never get to at home because of other things that need to get done), and just relaxing after my day. Thanks again so much for your help and support. Let me know if I can be there for you also.

 JayC there is a lapband board too but we have mixed bag here as we all mostly live in Virginia.... and it makes support so much easier if we are all in the same State... I am known for being a straight talker so let me ask you this JayC - if you refute any suggestions we make about not drinking and still plan to continue   - why did you ask us if it would be an issue?  You have already been counseled previously that you shouldn't do it......if it is more for getting out the house then you will need to change your habits - if you want to discontinue this - or find other social activities - that include people - but not alcohol...... I don't know how much you have lost but it would be sad to put it back on again after having gone through surgery in the first place... but at the end of the days these are all your decisions and all within your control to contunie or not continue with. I do not mean any of this unkindly - I am just wondering why you would ask us when you have no intention of changing it - and you already know about the empty calories, the carbonation and the getting drunk so we did not tell you anything new......... Maybe if you got your little cat a playmate she would not feel so neglected and they might compete for your attention :-)  I have two cats (as well as 2 dogs) and although the older one was not too inpressed when the younger one came here they are really good friends now.... Seriously JayC I am not picking on you  - you sound lonely and we are all here to help and support you in whichever way we can. But the beer drinking is an issue whether you choose to address it or not ................ Jackie

Jacqueline, Please excuse me for being a straight talker. But, I never tried to refute anyone's suggestions. Nor have I ever said I wouldn't stop drinking. If you go back to my original posting, what I was saying, was that I have this social (yes, strictly social, and not alcoholic) behavior, for which, I was asking for suggestions to get around, or modify. You seemed to have misunderstood this string. Under no cir****tances would I ever take on additional pets to keep myself busy or away from the bar. If you go back, you'll see that I thoroughly enjoy doing crosswords as a way of relaxing after work, and because of other things that need to be done at home, I do and have gone out of the home to do them, and at the same time have one or two beers. You obviously have misunderstood me, as you believe I have no intention of changing. Thank you for your input.