Question:
Will I be able to drink wine and beer after RYN

I really enjoy good wine and good conversation with friends. What should I expect after surgery. Do I have to give up drinking and going out?    — [Anonymous] (posted on July 22, 2001)

July 22, 2001
I was told by my surgeon to wait a year before consuming any alcohol. When you first start out be aware that 1 glass can make you drunk. Your smaller stoma will make for you to be a cheap date as my hubby calls it!! LOL I drank one glass of wine about 8 months post and it didn't bother me but I only had the one glass. If I were you I would ask my surgeon, every surgeon has rules about certain things.
   — [Anonymous]

July 22, 2001
You will still be able to drink alcohol, but will likely find that your tolerance is much lower. You will feel the effects much more quickly and will tolerate much less volume than before your RNY. Most patients have difficulty with carbonated sodas and beer for the first few weeks, or even months, after their surgeries, so be cautious and start slowly. The excess "air" can cause you to feel very uncomfortable, very quickly. The key is to SIP, SIP, SIP! Good luck!
   — Diana T.

July 22, 2001
You no more have to give up going out with your friends for drinks than you would have to give up going out for dinner. Why couldn't you just order something other than alchol until you are sure you can have it without it giving you problems? Remember it is the COMPANY that is important , food and drink will or should become secondary in your life.They are not your friends.
   — Rose A.

July 22, 2001
I am 6 weeks post op and went to my H.S. reunion last night. I wasn't sure if I could drink, but I tried a margarita and an hour later I was fine, so I had a couple more, but believe me, it's much different than before, you feel the effects much faster!!!!!! I was fine and had a great time.
   — [Anonymous]

July 22, 2001
1 Beer does me in and I can feel the bubbles as it's going down all the way below my belly button. Odd feeling.(LAP RNY 1/16/01 Down 85lbs)
   — Debora H.

July 23, 2001
I was never a beer drinker; but, I did drink wine and an occasional mixed drink. My surgeon advised that I not drink alcohol; but, he didn't specify why. I thought it was because of the carbs. Wrong!!! I had my first drink...a pina colada.. a year after my rny. I drank about half and the alcohol hit me like a ton of bricks. It went right into my blood stream and I was drunk as a skunk....from half of a mixed drink! I've tried drinking white wine several times and one glass leaves me tipsy. I take the drinking and driving thing very seriously and I'm also concerned about how alcohol affects my liver; so, I just don't drink alcoholic beverages anymore. I don't miss it.
   — [Anonymous]