Alcohol post-op?

I feel I should start with a little disclaimer, stating that I don't have any intensions of drinking right now... I barely ever drink... I've just been wanting to ask this question for awhile, I've just been scared of being judged. However, this forum seems to be very open and doesn't pass judgment.

I'm almost 4 weeks out and I'm curious to know when it's okay to introduce our system to alcohol? What kind and how much?

Hi there! I will not judge. I am almost 8 months post op and I find that it depends on my day. I tried alcohol at about 4 months and itjust made me feel horrible. But yesterday (my saturday) I had one beer and 1 glass of wine over about 3 hours. While I was a bit tipsy, I wasn't feeling sick. I just take it very slow as with anything else you introduce, to see how your body will handle it. Hope this helps!

I was about 3 months out when I had my first drink. I had a draft beer with lemon and unlike most people who say that the carbonation was horrible on their tummy, I had no such effects. Where I get in trouble is with hard liquor. My drink of choice is Seagrams Seven Whiskey and Diet Coke. I limit drinking these to once a month because I started noticing that it felt really good going down and therefore I would drink like 5 or 6 in one night. You have to be careful of transfer addictions. I usually stick with beer and can usually drink 3 or 4 in a 3 to 4 hour sitting. I usually only go out on Friday nights and occasionally on Saturday. Just use your own discretion and sip when you first experiment with alcohol. You'll be fine. We are the generation that drinks so no judgements here.

Phew... actually, I felt safe posting this question here. I knew I'd get some understanding from you guys and people that could relate.

The reason I was asking was for get-togethers or parties. My husband is turning 30 this weekend and I thought I'd better ask. When it comes to alcohol, I can take it or leave it... and I've been afraid of the addiction factor, too. I'll steer clear of it for now... but for MY birthday... that's WHOLE other story LOL I'll be 6 months out and probably close to 100lbs down... that's something worth celebrating!!

My surgeon advised a year out to promote well being and healing of the pouch.  I waited and tried a beer.  Interesting little tickles, but nothing out of the ordinary pouch wise.  I did get tipsy quick and did suffer from a mild transfer addiction- alcohol and attention, oye.  But now I have it under control.

Good luck!

Don't do it!! I drank on Thursday and I am only 5 weeks post op. I did NOT get tipsy off of one glass and ended up drinking wayy too much. The next morning I was so dehydrated from the wine that I was curled up in the fetal position all day on Friday, called in sick from work and was barely able to get any fluids in me. I was never a big drinker before but I thought I could handle it. The night of was okay but the day after was a nightmare. Please don't do to yourself what I did. It is not worth the pain.

Katie

Well I'm horrible. At about 2 months I had my first drink. I NEVER drank before. I've definitely noticed that I get drunk faster and that I have to be careful of how wonderful it feels. I dont think you should follow my lead though. Everyone else seems to have it down!

hi girl. wel here comes the truth. hoho.
i was not allowed to drin****il 6 months out. but i start drining a glass of wine eventualy like 3 times before be 6 months. the day I turned 6 month out i went out with my friends `cuz i wanted a drink so bad. haha i got 4 coktails and i was drunk but not that bad (like before) my friends were in the same conditions so it was nothing especial.
so about alcochol its like i did not had surgery altho i rather not to drink with carbontated drink `cuz i just get blowed out.

ask your dr. permision 1th.
take care.

I'm four months out and I probably have 2-3 drinks per week.  I want to mention a few things though:

-Avoid carbonation, even if it doesn't cause you any discomfort, that carbonation is still fizzing away once it's in your stomach and it can stretch your pouch out.  I'd say avoid all carbonated beverages for at least a year.
-The first year is your ideal window for weight loss so just remember to account for the calories in your alcoholic drinks.  When you drink alcohol you are consuming empty calories that could potentially stall your weight loss.  4-5 beers in one night equates to ALL of your calories for the day.  Gin and Vodka have the least calories sugar and carbs if you're trying to make smart decisions about your alcohol.
-Do not drive, our new bodies process alcohol differently and your BAC may be much higher than a non post-op person.

With that said, be careful and enjoy in moderation.  My favorite drinks post-op are either a Bloody Mary, Vodka with Orange Crystal Light or if ou go to Bariatriceating.com they have some good Sugar Free drink mixers.

Good luck!

 also www.bajabob.com has all different sugar free drink mixes and some come in single servings like crystal light packets. For when ur ready.