Alcohol question

Hello all, I'm new to this board as I just had my one year anniversary at the beginning of the month. I have a question about alcohol. I haven't had one sip since surgery last year. I also didn't have any sugar until about 2 months ago when I met my goal. Now that I am there, I have been introducing sugar back into my diet with no ill side effects. I would like to have an occasional alcoholic drink, but I am worried about how I will react to it. Do you think I would be fine since I know I have been fine with foods that contain large amounts of sugar? Do you drink alcohol? If so, how much? What are the best choices to make? Thanks, Lauren 281/126/130?

I have had a few drinks in the last 18 months. I did not have any problems with the sugar, but I got drunk very fast and very hard. I say go for it, but try it at home with trusted people around you. As for the drink, maybe start with a glass of wine? Or if you want a mixed drink, try vodka mixed with a bit of low sugar juice. Enjoy & be careful! Laura

Hi, Lauren. Welcome to the grads. I'm not that wild about alcohol myself, if I want to splurge with something high in calories I'd rather do it with food. I have found that just a few sips of alcohol will get me very high. My suggestion to you is to try it first at home, so you don't have to worry about driving or any adverse effects. Best choices would include a small glass of wine or beer or alcohol with a sugar-free mixer. Frozen drinks like pina coladas have huge amounts of calories and sugar. So, just try a small amount and see how you do. I will say I've read about many post-ops who end up trading their addiction to food for alcohol. But small amounts occasionally should be fine. Just remember it's lots of empty calories. Hope this helps, Connie -147#

Lauren, I agree with the other posters, try it at home first. I'm not a big drinker, but since WLS if I do drink something I feel it quickly. I had read that it affects people much quicker but I never expected how quick. I also lost the "buzz" for lack of a better word, quick. Dana

Lauren, I am at two years out, and I am not a big drinker; however, I am a sucker for a great margarita. I drink only on occassion because I get a good buzz going very quickly, especially if I drink wine. I noticed if I drink beer I do not feel intoxicated but bloated. I think it depends on the alcohol content, the sugar content and what you are driving. Just please be careful, as with sugar our bodies react differntly, when I drink my margarita's I spend a little extra time in the bathroom the next morning. Lori

Oh my word - you lost 160 pounds in 10 months??? Congratulations! Judi

I mix wine with that no cal, sf sparkling flavored water from walmart. You know the little 1 liter bottles for 50 cents? I mix about 3/4 water and 1/4 white wine with the tropical flavor or merlot with the black cherry flavor. It is nice and refreshing and I don't feel like I need to drink tons. I am a "drinker" be i****er, beer, crystal light, wine or ice tea I can chug it down. I probably drink about 200 oz a day easy so I have to be careful with alcohol just for the shear "liquidness" of it. I found that if I drink beer I drink it to fast and feel to bloated. Hope that helps you! Congrats on your awesome success! Jen

I'm not a big drinker either, but I've had a few. I drink Absolut Vodka mixed with anything sugar free~crystal light is great! If I go out to a bar I take along those crystal light sticks. Then I order a shot of Absolut, a water and an empty glass~I mix it up and enjoy! Also, it doesn't hit me hard at all~I figured it would but I haven't had that problem. Tracy B 328/150 5'9"

I have tried gin and tonic and quickly found out that regular tonic water is filled with sugar which I cannot handle. But gin and diet tonic water with lime is nice. i can handle ONE glass of white wine but two and I am loopy! I have also had a martini which is pretty sugarless but very potent. I did OK with one (well, I guess I was a little tipsy) but once I had two and the world was topsy turvy for awhile. I think the cosmo thingies are too full of suagr as are all the after dinner drinks. My nut said a bloody mary was OK. I really drink very little but I am five years out so have had a few special occasions. Hope this helps...