Question:
Just to qualify, I'm not a big drinker, just a few times a year

I like to out with friends for drinks and dinner. Unfortunatly my favorite drink is a martini. I'm OK with I one, but they taste so darn good, I always want a second. After the second I'm wasted. I know the obvious answer would be just have one. But, since I do this so infrequently I was wondering if anyone had any 'tricks', like maybe eating something before? Even though I hate to ruin my appetite for dinner, maybe if I have something in my stomach the alcohol wouldn't hit me so fast. Anyone wtih any experience or help would be very much appreciated!    — Stacy L. (posted on September 22, 2004)

September 22, 2004
Yes, eating something either just before you have the martini or while you are drinking it will lessen the impact of the alcohol because it will slow down the absorption. There is a good explanation of how and why that is true in the South Beach book. Also, if you're eating something, you just might not want that second martini.
   — scbabe

September 22, 2004
What the other poster said is not true with all ppl no matter if i eat b-4 during or ater if effects me same way one bottel of smireoff and i feel a lil tipsy and when or if i drink 2 bottles tats it i am wasted
   — wildbrat

September 22, 2004
As a post-op, it doesn't seem to matter if I eat or not... it still hits me hard. That may not be true for everyone though :)
   — mom2jtx3

September 23, 2004
For me, eating in the middle or between drinks, kills the buzz. I found this out while doing shots of Tequila on my yearly excursion to Vegas. We were toasted and decided we should put something in our stomachs. When I did, I was instantly sober. I was so bummed! lol Had to take a couple more shots - but I still waited the required 1/2 hours after I ate to drink again. lol Following some rules and not others. I crack myself up! Good Luck!
   — MissKimberly

September 23, 2004
Stacey, I no this sounds bad but Ihav company ove every saturaday nights and I party, I drink beer only, but I feel the same as i did before the surgery, but it does go by if you ate before you start drinking if Ihavent ate that much that day I get buzzed more but if I ate, it still takes me just as long as it did before I had the surgery. As long as Iam at home and safe and not driving I have fun, well I hope all goes well for you. I still have the same fun as I did before the surgery. GOOD LUCK
   — blainejrjeni

September 25, 2004
Hi Stacy i'm 8+years post op of a RNY i like a shot and beer now and then heres how you deal with martinis and all liquors solution is dilution drink water with your martini alcohol is about the only thing your pouch can absorb, so a swallow of water will wash out of your pouch into your intestine where the absorbsion rate is slower. also the buzz you get won't last as long as your friends. eating dosen't help as much as as dillution.
   — brian V.