Question:
Can we have alcohol and if so what can we have ?

   — cathy S. (posted on September 18, 2003)

September 18, 2003
I like vodka and cranberry juice. But just remember, a little goes a LONG way!
   — Wendy D P.

September 18, 2003
Alcohol will hit you faster than usual and if your stomach is at all sensitive, or you know you have an ulcer, it will hurt like hell to drink it. Also, it will definitely slow your weightloss...my best buddy (from this site) had a terrible plateau for months...we calculated out her drinking...then realized how many extra cals she was consuming. She stopped drinking and amazingly the weight is moving again...no use starting a bad habit.
   — missmollyk

September 18, 2003
Ocassionally, I will pour a small can of pineapple juice over a little Captain Morgan's or Malibu Rum. I know there is sugar in both, but it doesn't seem to make me dump. I only have this ocassionally because it does hit me faster than pre-op and because I know the sugar isn't a good habit to form.
   — Wendy S.

September 18, 2003
Well, can... or should??? Isn't a lot of post-op life about making the best decisions about your health? You COULD have a piece of fried chicken, but you should have a salad. Know what I mean? I know that shoulds simplistic, but.... I know I am going to get slammed on this one. Since YOU asked, I am going to answer. I have one WLS friend in town who has wine once in a while, does not dump, and is incredibly successful. She is my WLS hero. But... I have a friend who may be killing herself with alcohol since her WLS. She drinks copious amounts of vodka mixed with various juices NIGHTLY because she thinks it is easy to hide and rationalizes the juice as being "healthy." She is easily 20 pounds underweight. Frightening. Alcohol affects your liver very quickly after surgery and can cause serious liver damage, because the enzymes that used to break down the alcohol are now in your "old" stomach. Whay not have something healthy, or at least not have something potentionally destructive? So, if you know that you have the willpower to do it in moderation, etc., and not dump, go for it. Alcohol makes me dump. But a lot of us had food addictions wich would translate easily into an alcohol addiction if not for dumping (myself included). Phew.
   — kultgirl

September 18, 2003
My surgeon said social/moderation is ok and when I do go out, it only takes 2 to get me to where I have had enough and I drink diet pop with vodka and never had a problem. Please do be careful though, try it at home first :o)
   — Sandy M.

September 18, 2003
I grew up in a house were a cocktail at the end of the day was religon...now after my WLS i do struggle to steer away from the daily habit...the truth is it's extra useless calories....I am 5 weeks out and do well with a cocktail ...i don't notice a difference in tolerance like others do...and I don't dump...but I will say WATCH your calories....b/c they add up very quick.... I am not to sure if I believe all the buzz about alcohol being harder on your liver than before WLS it seems if that was the case I would feel different then before when I had a drink and I don't ...REGARDLESS just go slow and listen to your body and be good to it....HAVE FUN!
   — E. V.