Alcohol Consumption

Why after having gastic bypass surgery is it difficult to consume alcohol?  I had my surgery over three years ago and I still have difficulty having even a glass of wine . . . it tends to make me woozy quickly.  why is that?  Any help??

Unlike foods, alcohol does NOT need to be digested in order to be absorbed.  About 20% of any alcohol consumed is absorbed directly in the stomach.  And if you are following the rules about drinking and eating, there is no food in your pouch, so the alcohol has access it all of the surface area of your pouch in which to be absorbed through simple diffusion.  In the small intesting, alcohol is RAPIDLY absorbed.  Once it has been absorbed, alcohol receives priority treatment over food.  It gets absorbed and metabolized before most nutrients.  That's why you get a faster "buzz" now.  Hope this helps.

NancyJo, And, for the reasons that Sharyn pointed out, your blood alcohol level also spikes. A couple of months ago, Oprah did a program on gastric bypass and cross-addictions and I think that is where I saw it but I know I saw a program that says that we will not only get drunk faster because of our surgery but that we will reach and maintain a much higher than normal blood alcohol level. Even after the woozy feeling passes, our blood levels stay elevated. Scarey on several levels but primarily if you are going to drive. I was so embarassed one day last year when I had a martini with friends after work and realized that after one drink I didn't consider myself capable of driving. Called my DH, who came and picked me up. Have avoided alcohol, in general, ever since. Judi

I am fine with alcohol as long as I don't combine alcohol and sugar. I like to drink Absolut Vodka w/crystal light and have never had any problems. A friend of mine gave me about half a small glass of something that contained sugar and when I went to stand up I was shakey and felt completely wasted (and I had been sipping that half a glass for over 2hrs while sipping on a bottled water at the same time).

For some reason wine knocks me on my butt.  I have one glass, I feel drunk then as soon as the drunk feeling wears off I feel hung over and tired.  If I stick to vodka and sugar free cranberry juice I am ok, but I still get drunk fast.  I limit myself to 1 drink.  I don't really like the way I feel when I drink so I don't do it often.  Try something besides wine and that might help.  I also like half a shot of vodka and a big glass of crystal light ice tea and lemon.  That way I get a little buzzed, but I'm not ready to pass out!