I'm not an alcoholic, but...

So, this might sound silly but one of my biggest fears.... anxiety about the surgery is surrounding not being able to "go out and drink"...  not the actualy act of going out an drinking but, the fact that this is how I spend a lot of time with many of my friends.. don't get me wrong, I have friends who I do other things with... but I have a significant number of friends that this is our primary thing to do... Will I grow apart from my friends? Will I be different in a bad way?

I know this probably sounds weird, but it's one of the things on my mind... how my relationships and how I interact with people will change.... would love any advice. Thanks! :-)

At half way to 29, I'm starting to grow out of that phase of my life but I still have younger friends who like to go out and have a good time.  I can honestly say in relation to surgery, my life hasn't really changed in the fact of having a good time with my friends.  Granted, it takes me 1 drink to get buzzed..sometimes full-on drunk, so you really have to watch yourself but as far as the social aspect, nothing is different. 

I know it may seem like a huge issue but really, to me, it's not.  I'm at the point now where I"d rather not drink because it's too many wasted calories.  I don't know, I'm also at a different point in life...wife, mom, almost 30.. (yikes!).  But, I understand were you are coming from and the good news is you can still enjoy life after WLS with a few ****tails! 

Good luck! 

~Emily~ 

Hey there! Well, I previously back in May posted something having to do with drinking. I was one of the ones who definitely turned to alcohol for my newest addiction. I left food behind, but drinking became one of my best friends. It's rather interesting because I took a step back and realized I was starting to have a problem and it was becoming too much. So, I started the South Beach diet that restricted all alcohol for at least 2 weeks. I went 3 full weeks without even a sip and I realized I just didn't need it. Low and behold, I ended up getting pregnant during this time!! :O So, now there's no alcohol period!! It's strange how things happen!

I won't lie though- alcohol can become a problem, but you have to be aware of it. I'm almost 29, so I don't go out and drink, but I did my fair share back in the day. I know alcohol is to blame for my self-sabatoge and regain of close to 40 pounds, but thankfully I've gotten a grip on it and am making the best of my pregnancy!

Please just know that it's never easy and it can happen, but you can stop it. It's hard to say, but I know I lost quite a few friends in the process, but I also gained some friends who showed me that the "going out and drinking" wasn't really what was important. I only have about a handful of friends, but thanks to my WLS my life went in a different direction.

I'm not trying to discourage you, but I just wanted to let you know the possibility is there. Best of luck with your surgery and weight loss!! And hopefully you will be able to find what works for you afterwards! :)

I'm still pre-op but Ive never been much of a drinker. It sucks being the only one standing around without a drink in your hand so I usually get some water in a martini glass. Add a lemon twist and ta da you have a "martini" and no one needs to know the difference.  
 Cheers!

I wasn't a big drinker before hand, I was ususally just DD, and I am only 2 months out now so i havent had a drink yet, BUT I go out to bars and stuff so much more now than i did pre-op. I feel so much better about myself that i want to go out all the time and I finally have the energy to do so.

So when I do go out i usually order a water, or something similar, and then everyone still has a safe ride home. No one else besides me and the bartender know there is no alcohol in my drink and i still have a good time.

good luck with everything in september, you're so close!

Thanks everyone!! O my gosh... one week from this coming Tuesday!