Alcohol

Hello All! Ok, so I'm here to confess~I've been drinking a lot lately. It started in November and I've been at it ever since. I had my surgery in March of 05 and am down to goal and holding steady. I don't think I need AA or anything, I was just wondering if there is any difference in drinking now than before surgery? Thanks for your help! TC

Hello!! I to have been doing a lot of drinking. it started in May when i was in Maui and i just keep drinking. i know i don't have to or need AA. i was drinking about 4 to 5 night a week, but I have stopped in the past few weeks and now it's just a Firday night and Saturday evening thing.. it that BAD?????? i am so glad you posted this it has been on my mind as well.. i think we are ok girl!! LOL... what is a lot of drinking for you?? Amy 317 starting 180 now!!!!!

Well its been like 3 glasses of wine a night. If it was a weekend maybe more.....I just don't want to hurt myself, or keep going down this road. I hate having an addictive personality! Seems like now that I am smaller (135 down from 245) We socialize alot more~which is great, but I just need to get my self together! Congrats on your WL! You look great!!! TC

TC and Amy; occasional drinking I feel is ok....but if you find yourself wanting and needing to drink say every week or more often, it could become hazardous. I'm sure you are both aware of the affects (feeling the alcohol quickly) of drinking. Please remember with our rerouted innerds the alcohol is absorbed quicker and the liver does have to work hard to process the alcohol. Yes it could hurt you if too much, it can cause you liver damage including cirosis (sp?). As post-ops we have, in some fashion, been forced to give up food (our comfort), it is somewhat common for us (post-ops) to lean toward another addiction. I've read before that approximately 30% of WLS patients turn from food to alcohol. Just FYI, please be careful. Dana

We were told at support group that regular drinking after Rny makes you about 5 times more susceptible to liver problems from the alcohol. Due to the way our insides are arranged the liver has to work harder. Plus the alcohol reaches the liver quicker. So, if you are drinking daily, I would say that may be a problem as far as your health goes. I know that is very common in gastric bypass patients who are food addicts to transfer from one addiction to another. Once you lose the ability to use food as your addiction you start on another one. It is called addiction transferrance. Some people even become triaddicting meaning replacing the food with multiple other addictions such as drugs, alcohol, smoking or sex. We learned all about all of this at a seminar for post ops. Really interesting stuff. Good luck, Melissa

Thanks so much Melissa~ Looks like I need to hop on the wagon!!! I have started using Yoga....I need somthing constructive to do! I really don't want to hurt my new body! I finally LOVE IT! Have a great day! TC

Hi all! I just found the WLS Grads site last week and am sooooo glad that I have. I was only going to lurk, but this alcohol question peaked by interest. I too have been drinking a lot ... I never drank much before WLS, food was my addiction, didn't need the alcohol. But now that the food is pretty much out ho-ho let's try alcohol I started out with just a glass or two of wine on the weekends and pretty soon it was an entire small bottle in one night, then an entire big bottle in one night. Yes, that old addictive personality was apparently not removed when they rerouted my tummy. Anyway, about the same time as I began drinking, I began craving carbs in a HUGE way. I think they may be connected. I also have gained about 30 lbs., since I've begun drinking. So this past weekend I didn't drink. It was difficult and I missed it, but I didn't drink and my carb cravings have been much less the past few days. Unlike others, I think I really could develop a problem if I continue to drink, so I'm really going to try not to. But that means dealing with feelings--boardom, lonliness, anger, etc..... Anyway, just had to chime in. Thanks for listening and being there. Hugs, Kathi

Had my surgery in Mar 05 also, reached my goal of 170 from 340 in about 14 months and have been holding steady ever since. I generally have a rum and coke or glass of wine every evening, with friends, maybe a little more. In my case the alcohol has less effect than before the surgery (go figure), I do walk and work out on a regular basis, which helps maintain the weight. . My rule is only drink when you are by yourself or with someone. As with many other things since surgery, moderation is the rule. Dennis

Our surgeon told us to be very careful with alcohol. Every drink hits the liver as though we had 5 drinks. You could ruin your liver and thus your health with the alcohol. Not to mention the calories in drinks, which could lead to weight regain as you get further along on your wls journey. I was losing weight at 14 months on 1,000 calories a day. At 29 months I have to stay below 1,000 to maintain my weight. I've always exercised and changed exercise routines on a regular basis so that isn't a factor. The body is just doing a better job of absorbing and using the calories. Best of luck!

I'm so glad to see that I'm not the only one! It's been bugging the crap out of me, making me wonder if I'm now an alcoholic.... I made the commitment to back off, back way off, and I've been good to my word so far. I just can't figure out why I can't be satisfied with one glass of wine, why does it have to be 3 - 4, or better yet, an entire large bottle. Hell, I even work out with the idea of how many calories I need to burn off in order to have X amount of glasses of wine! Becky