Question:
Can you have a few drinks on occasion - does it cause dumping?

I like to have a cocktail every once in a while like when I go to dinner with my husband or when I go out with friends. I know I can't eat and drink but maybe when we sit at the bar.    — Jendeclan (posted on October 21, 2003)


October 20, 2003
At 20 months out and -125 pounds, I can have a glass of wine with dinner, without a problem. But it feels like 2 glasses!
   — Kathy J.

October 20, 2003
I'm 5 months out and have enjoyed and occassional beer with no problem.
   — lorien

October 20, 2003
My surgeon says NO alcohol for at least a year. I know of patients who haven't followed that rule and have done ok. But remember, alcoholic beverages are loaded with calories. And, the sweeter ones are full of sugar. I've also been told that it takes much less to make us intoxicated so make sure someone else is driving.
   — Patty_Butler

October 20, 2003
I had my first drink on New Year's Eve (5 months post op) - it was a 3 ounce glass of wine and I was smashed on it for 20 minutes then dumped and went to bed. What a fun way to ring in the new year - NOT! LOL. I've occasionally through-out swiped sips of my hubbys beer but that's about it and even those small sips gave me a mild buzz for a short time, though they didn't cause dumping. This past weekend I had my first full beer. I got a buzz, it didn't last long and I didn't dump. Not that this is good or bad, just is. But I do agree - you should severly limit drinking during the first year when you lose the mass majority of your weight, as your liver is under extreme strain to filter out all the crap in your system as it is. No need to burden it needlessly.
   — [Deactivated Member]

October 21, 2003
Let's put it this way - I took a dose of Ny-Quil two nights ago and experienced my first true dumping experience. It wasn't the sugar content, so it had to be the alcohol. I will NEVER take another dose.
   — Denise B.

October 21, 2003
I'm not sure taht I would try my first drink out in a public place. It could be a VERY bad experience. I had my first drink at 2 mos post op (just a few sips of a cosmopolitan) No problems. I occasionaly (read very rarely)have a drink before dinner when out but only KNOWING that I have tried the drink before and that I will not get sick. I get drunk VERY fast. It's amazing, so be careful. Oh- yeah, and don't even think about driving after taking in any alcohol.
   — LMCLILLY

October 21, 2003
I am 7 mos out and enjoy a glass of wine or a beer occasionally. I haven't tried any other drinks for fear of dumping. I do not dump on Merlot or red wines, however, some of the sweeter white wines cause mild dumping and discomfort. I had a glass and half of Chianti at dinner the other night (over 3 hours) and I was 12 sheets to the wind!! Had to take a little nap... So, Chianti will now be limited to one glass on special occasions!! You will learn your own limits. I have seen folks on this site who can drink anything from white russians to daquiaries.... everyone is different. I think beer is a little to carbonated for me! Take care and enjoy within your own limits...so you really do enjoy!!!
   — teresa M.

October 21, 2003
I have had shots of tequilla without any problem. 6 mos. -93
   — Bama Beach Girl

October 21, 2003
Yes, you can, but just be aware that alcohol is harder on the liver as a post-op and effects you twice as much as it did when you were a pre-op. We are cheap dates now! I had my first alcohol, champagne at an anniversary party, at 3 months post-op and felt pretty good on just 1 small glass. I will have a glass or two of wine over the entire evening now, and I am definitely feeling fine after just 1/2 a glass! Like the others suggested, though,try your first cocktail at home as you don't know if your a dumper or not.
   — Cindy R.

October 21, 2003
I'll be 3 years post op next week and I have a couple of glasses of White Zinfandel wine about once or twice a week if we're out with friends (I'm not driving!) Like Cindy said, 1/2 a glass still makes my giggly so I just nurse a couple of glasses over an entire evening. It's never made me sick and I don't do it enough to make the calories an issue. Enjoy!
   — ronascott

October 21, 2003
I LOVE margaritas(on the rocks) but the mix has too much sugar. At about 10 months out I had 2 shots of tequilla with lime over ice. I did ok but man did it hit hard. I wasnt gonna try for another, one was just right. ~Sidney~ Open RNY 10-23-02 down 120+
   — Siddy I.

October 21, 2003
Every once in a while I will have one glass of wine before dinner. I do not dump on it but you do get very tipsy very quickly. There was one time where I had two glasses and, never again will I do that! According to my husband I was acting almost as bad as Otis Campbell (if you dont know who he is he played the drunk on The Andy Griffith Show). Just be careful and only have one. Good Luck!
   — Kris T.

October 21, 2003
I am 11 months out, and a few weeks ago at a wedding during cocktail hour I decided to nurse a drink. I got three sips into a seabreeze (vodka, grpfrt juice, cranbry juice); well, let me tell you, my legs buckled, I started to dry heave,I turned grey, and had to have my husband take me to the ladies room. This lasted for about twenty minutes, and I guess it was my FIRST 9and last) dumping situation. Definitely NOT worth it. Didn't think about the vodka turning to sugar and the two juices too. I've had a few sips of wine and been okay.
   — Linda L.

October 22, 2003
First of all, not everyone dumps so that might not be an issue for you. I don't dump at all. I would still avoid drinks mixed with juices though, since they're high in sugar. The carbonation in some drinks might bother you too. I don't drink soda at all anymore because I don't like the carbonation but find I can drink beer easier. I get buzzed MUCH easier now and feel fuller from it, but to tell the truth the buzz also seems to wear off quicker too. I avoid drinking most of the time less out of any worry for my pouch but because I hate to waste the calories on a beverage like that!
   — sandsonik

October 22, 2003
Yes, as everyone has said you get buzzed much much quicker and, at least for me, sober up just as quickly. It's like when you are really drunk and your friends tell you the next day about that really embarrassing stupid thing you did the night before. But now, you catch yourself in the middle of the really embarrassing stupid thing now. Not sure which is worse actually. lol Whatever you do, the first time you try it....have ONE! HAHA
   — RebeccaP

October 26, 2003
I can drink White Zinfadel with no problem, also have drank rum and diet coke, but the soda made me feel uncomfortable. I have tried margaritas twice and couldn't finish them due to a burning sensation in my stomach. My favorite if at a home party is to mix Zima with Propel flavored water and shake it up to get rid of the carbonation. We go to Vegas alot and hard to not drink - also like you we go out to dinner with friends and business associates a lot. Sure this has something to do with my slow weight loss as well. I haven't dumped yet but would never try a sweet drink.
   — Sandy T.




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