Question:
Alcohol after RNY?

Just a curious question. I am 3 weeks out today and The social aspect of eating is well null and void from my life. When is it ok to have a drink again that has alcohol in it? It is hard being in social settings without eating... I am sure its going to be quite a while before a glass of wine but any idea just how long?    — jillian_amari (posted on June 8, 2010)


June 8, 2010
I had RNY 11 months ago, had my first glass of wine at 9 months out. I do have an occasional glass,but only 1, it goes to my head very quickly. Lots of empty calories, and 1 glass hits like 2-3 used too. So tread cautiously.
   — Nurseducky

June 8, 2010
My surgeon specifically spoke about this in my preoperative consult -- in case alcohol was considered an "issue". I am now 5 mos postop and although there have been days I would really have enjoyed a glass of wine to end my day, I have not yet indulged. (Perhaps the "fear factor" within helps keep me on the straight and narrow?) Also, my doctor expressed waiting at least 1 year postop before trying anything alcohol related. He stressed that yes we will become relatively "cheap" dates in our afterlife -- given how quickly alcohol is absorbed into our systems and that one cocktail can quickly feel like multiples (as the prior poster, Susan also alluded too). Even more importantly, I think is in what I hear you say about being in social situations and now not being able to eat--all true! However, I am certain you will hear many people on this forum say -- the surgery was an operation on our stomach, and unfortunately it did not work on our heads (and sometimes a bit of that might have been beneficial as well). I mention this specifically because, in case you were not aware, something called "transfer addictions" is something very real and possible as a result of the limitations put on you after WLS. You may want to potentially explore this forum for more information on that, particularly if this is a term considered "new" to you. Best of luck on your journey.
   — momeego

June 8, 2010
My Dr said for me to wait at least a year out, preferably 18 months out. My NUT had a fit when I told her I drank one glass of wine!!!! As far as eating out, for me, it is quite difficult, I am 10 months out. If I go to a party I will eat cheese and crackers. This is a life changing operation, but so worth it.
   — FSUMom

June 8, 2010
I agree with the two previous posters. Also, it's all about the mindset. For me, it's not hard being in social settings without drinking (even though I love a glass of wine) because I am in that social setting in a size 10 or 12 and feeling pretty damn good about how I look. I know that I could be drinking that wine and still feeling heavy and miserable if it were not for this surgery. I am 11 months out and have not had any alcohol. In a few months I may try a glass of wine or I may not, but for now, when I am in social settings, I get a wine glass, put a slice of orange or lemon in it and maybe a couple of grapes add some water, maybe ice and I sip. That's my cocktail!
   — browngathers

June 8, 2010
I had my first drink about 3 months after surgery and didn't much care for the effect on me. The alcohol seems to get in my blood a lot faster. Whereas before I could have 3 or 4 drinks before I felt the affect, just one after surgery had my head woozy. Now, 10 months out, I have an occasional drink, sometimes two, but that's my limit. I go after work with the guys or coworkers and I sip not chug.
   — Joseph Johnson

June 8, 2010
I say wait as close to a year as you can. Alcohol is an irrantant to the pouch and is just not worth it. I'm 2-1/2 years out and have a cocktail at half strength on rare occasions. Alcohol affects me differently now, and I don't enjoy it like I used to.
   — Richbehr

June 9, 2010
I have to say I agree with the previous posters as well. I have a drink now once in a while, but it goes in you fast and you feel the effects fast. Then it's gone. I don't want to pick up a new vice, so I don't have it much. I guess its a personal choice for each person. congrats on having the surgery. It will be worth it all!
   — katiecakes

June 9, 2010
Hi ! my clinic suggests 1 year before you consume alcohol for the reasond already stated and the fact that the weightr loss we undergo is taxing on the liver ..now add alcohol and you are pushing ur liver to do a lot. its alreasdy over burdened by the weight loss. a year is not so long to wait. i waited 1.5 yrs. i didn't miss it. hugs kim
   — gpcmist

June 9, 2010
Just another note- Alcohol has a negative effect on the pouch and the stoma. I was not aware of this when having had the RNY 8yrs ago. Others may be able to provide more info on what it does specifically and how but the result is that it dialates the stoma and stretching occurs I believe something to do with thinning of the tissue itself. It does also of course provide nothing but empty calories, cheap date (fastly drunk on a drink or 2). Barix had a pamphlet on the adverse effects to the pouch and stoma but I only heard about the pamphlet have not been able to get one and a 3hr drive, I am waiting to find out the fine details on what exactly it does to the tissue.
   — rgreathouse

June 16, 2010
Thanks for the responses. I have no plans on trying it anytime soon right now I need to conquer food without throwin up lol
   — jillian_amari

June 18, 2010
When you're doctor says you're allowed to have alcohol again, search the internet for low sugar or low carb drink recipes. It won't help you with the rapid alcohol absorption, but it will help control the sugar and calories you're taking in. Here's a great website that has "diet" cocktail recipes: http://www.thenibble.com/reviews/main/cocktails/low-carb-drinks2.asp I love fruity drinks and I tried them out before surgery and they all taste delicious. You should use 1/2 of the amount of alcohol especially in the beginning when you're finding out what your new alcohol tolerance is.
   — moore.kats




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