Question:
drinking beer

MY DAUGHTER & I ARE GOING TO GO TO MEXICO FOR SLEEVE.SELF PAY.HOW LONG AFTER SURGERY DOES SHE NEED TO WAIT BEFOER SHE CAN DRINK BEER?    — brenda1958 (posted on March 11, 2008)


March 11, 2008
I don't think you're supposed to have carbonated or sugared beverages at all after wls. (I too am planning to have the vertical sleeve.) Your doctor should be able to tell you more specifically what and why. Good luck with your surgery! (BTW, how much is it self-pay for the VSG in Mexico? Dr. Trace Curry in Cincinnatti, Ohio has a self-pay plan for under $15,000 that includes 2 years of follow ups.) Thanks!
   — abeeba

March 11, 2008
My doctor had me go through classes to give up drinking for good before I had my RNY. There is too much carbination and sugar in beer, just like soft drinks which I use to love. Now that I have had the surgery and had the sucess, I would not consider even going back for a single drink of beer or soft drinks. I worked to hard to get this weight off, and it is a small price to pay for finally having something that works. Each Doctor has different rules,so the best thing is to ask your doctor, and then do what they tell you to do if you expect for them to support you through your WLS and the resulting weight loss. Best of luck to the both of you.
   — William (Bill) wmil

March 11, 2008
Ask your Dr. I wouldnt drink carbonation at all for atleast a year... And alcohol? Id wait because with losing weight so fast your liver will be taxed enough without it.
   — SameButDifferent

March 11, 2008
I drink carbonated drinks all the time but they fill you up fast. It was several months before I could tollerate them though. As far as alcohol, they say that because the alcohol will get into your bloodstream so fast with WLS and the effects will be greatly increased they don't recomend drinking. I have not had but a few sips since surgery. Also the sugar will be horrible.
   — Claudia C.

March 11, 2008
I had VSG 4.5 months ago. I have had 1/4 of a beer once and a half of a beer at another time. I did not have any problems, but I would think it would be best to axoid drinking as much as possible. Pat
   — pjennjr

March 11, 2008
I with RNY am not allowed to have anything carbonated ever, so I would recommened never it's a small price sacrifice to pay if you want to be healthy.
   — tl_morgan

March 11, 2008
With the VSG, your anatomy is changed a little differently than those of us with RNY, but even with that distinction, you've still been entreated to some of my favorite myths. First, some people do switch to alcohol to satisfy whatever emotional needs food once met-- -whether they become alcoholics, or simply lousy drunks who stop getting invited to parties, is kind of irrelevant. But, what is relevant is that excessive consumption of alcohol can hurt those we love, ultimately hinder weight loss and cause lots of medical problems. That caveat being said, those of us who enjoy the occasional adult beverage, were probably incable of handling anything more than a sip for at least 6-8 months (at the earliest). Remember, you have a lot less food in your system so there is less to absorb the alcohol before it hits your intestine. The carbonation from beer can be very uncomfortable-- it won't stretch your pouch, but it can make you feel bloated which will hinder your ability to stay hydrated and consume enough protein. And, if you are going to enjoy a beer, remember that not all light beers are as low in carbs and calories as others, so read your labels and consume in moderation.
   — SteveColarossi

March 11, 2008
My doctor said I could have one or two during my vacation but that was 7 months after surgery and I only ended up having one and it made my nauseous, I think it was the sugar. I would check first, if she is allowed in the future it would be a once in a very great while thing, not something she should or could do on a regular basis, too much sugar and carbination.
   — noboat4u

March 12, 2008
I am more than 2 1/2 years out and I drink alcohol. Not too much beer (just cuz I don't like it), she just really needs to be careful. Alcohol hits me A LOT faster than it did before. I don't drink all the time and I really pace myself. Just be careful!
   — butterfly77ckc

March 12, 2008
Hi Brenda. I appreciate your question, and I promise I don't mean to be rude, but if your daughter is concerned about when she can have a beer in relationship to wls surgery, she needs to seriously consider not having surgery. It is best to NEVER have beer or alcohol after wls surgery. It affects the liver differently and is not good for you at all in general, it makes it worse after wls. Also, please keep in mind that when you go out of the country for this surgery, if you have a complication after surgery, you will have a MISERABLE time finding a surgeon to work with you here stateside. I think some states have help, but I never hear anything good about follow up care after an out of the country surgery for wls. Just something to think about. Take care. Patricia P.
   — Patricia P

March 12, 2008
she should never go back to drinking beer. Why would you pay for a weight loss surgery then go back to drinking a beverage that is known for packing on the pounds?
   — ednamjr

March 12, 2008
My sister drank beer before wls. She had wls and tried to drink beer. Her pouch accepted it and then 30 minutes later she was having pouch spasms so bad it landed her in the er. The spasms were so bad they had to give her meds to coat her pouch to stop the spasms. She was just post-op 3 months. My sister could drink you under the table before wls and now she still drinks but with caution knowing this could happen again. She had RNY lap. I have drank a beer and it took me over an hour due to the carbonation. I also had dumping syndrome with the sweating and the pouch doing flips it seemed like. So this is not something that I would do again. I am 4 yrs post-op. I have never liked drinking anywaya and so I just wanted to see if I would get drunk quicker as some have said. After 2 sips of a Budweiser I was euforic and slurring my words I was told by others. I did not like the headache the next morning and I feel if having to go a whole hour to drink it is not worth trying again. Just my input and opinion.
   — mspisces

March 12, 2008
Just an FYI I am 6 mo out and had a beer for the 1st time since WLS about 2 weeks ago. It took me like 1 1/2 hrs to drink it, I just kind of nursed it. I had a Mic Ultra, which is the ONLY beer I liked pre-op, and I did fine with it. I think anything light will be ok as far as sugar. It is not as carbonated as soda. It takes me like half the day to drink a diet soda, which I don't do very often. I don's see anything wrong with drinking the beer as long as it is only 1 or 2 at the most due to the fact it does make us drunk quicker and stays in our system longer.And it is not something that is routine. Just like anything, moderation is the key!
   — juliebelle0402

March 13, 2008
For me the thought of all of the carbonation causing more gas stops me! After a couple of nights with severe gas pains I do not want to eat or drink anything that will do that. Lidia
   — MomLid

March 13, 2008
Ideally, alcohol should just be omitted form your diet after having surgery like this. Some doc's say you should at least wait a year post-op. Alcohol (Particularly beer) is full of empty calories and you run the risk of faster inebriation with some more severe complications. As for carbonated beverages, I hear all sorts from different doc's and RD's. They tend to fill you fast and you can potentially stretch your pouch with the excess gas. You should just be very careful.
   — TheBestMaxEver

March 13, 2008
I have a VSG and so does my husband and we do not drink carbonated beverages. If we want to have a drink, we have a margarita or some ther non-carbonated drink. It does not take much alcohol ot get a buzz these days. Remember, when you are actively trying to lose weight, you should avoid things that add carbs or that cause snacking...and drinking can do both of these things. Also, be careful about transferring food addictions to other things, such as drinking!
   — Michelle D.




Click Here to Return
×