Question:
Okay so I'm 22 years old. All of my friends drink drink drink...

I too enjoy a drink every now and then. I personally enjoy beer quite a bit. I've decided that I really shouldn't drink it due to the carbonation level. I realize that I shouldn't drink alcohol period, but I want to. I enjoy going out and alcohol is just there. I it least go out drinking once a week. What should I do. I've noticed that hard liqour hits me a lot harder than it used to. I am usually a cranberry and vodka drinker. How about wine? I can definitely drink wine. I know I've been rambling but I need some input please. Thanks    — Kristina P. (posted on December 3, 2001)

December 3, 2001
As with anything else you should only drink in moderation. Especially after surgery. I don't think you should feel like you should not drink. It is a personal decision. I think wine is a much better choice because less calories and carbonation. Just remember drink only in moderation. Also, keep in mind if you drink too much this will slow down your weight loss. Maybe have a couple of drinks early in the night and than switch to water! Do a lot of dancing to burn off those calories! Have fun!!!
   — Beth F.

December 3, 2001
I dont have advise on whether you should drink or not, I think you know your body and you have to see what you can handle, but I would say be very careful with wine, the previous poster said she thought it would be a good choice due to low carbination, but I would watch the sugar. Most wines are full of sugar and that may make you very ill... Good Luck.... Malynda
   — Malynda S.

December 3, 2001
Hey Kristina! Before the surgery, I too enjoyed a drink or more. I especially enjoyed beer. *sigh* Having said that, I have to say that since my surgery in Sept, I have tried different alcohols with varying results. Beer in a bottle, I can drink, a pint of beer in a glass, it just gets too warm and flat too quick as slow as I drink, and it's not worth it to me. My taste buds have definitely changed. I haven't been brave enough to try vodka with any juice like orange, or cranberry, but I have had a martini, and it went down okay. I haven't been brave enough to try wine either, because it's so sugary, and I definitely dump on sugar. I definitely don't enjoy drinking as much post-op as I did pre-op, and although I am a little disappointed about that, I have enjoyed the weight loss. I'm hoping when I'm a little farther along, maybe I'll begin to enjoy the occasional drink again.
   — blank first name B.

December 3, 2001
Personally I have no trouble when it comes to drinking. I know that those people who had the RNY surgery has a hard time with a lot of alcohol. especially the real sweet drinks. I like my liquor staight up so I don't have a problem ( I had BPD surgery 2 months ago). I don't think a beer or two will hurt you every now and again that is if you don't dump it. I have turned into a cheap drunk! LOL. Just my opinion but I don't see a problem.
   — sherri W.

December 3, 2001
Personally, I won't miss the hang overs. I suggest you look to alternatives to Altering your Conciousness. Dr. Andrew Weil wrote a book called Chocolate to Morphine in which he states humans have an inherent need to alter their Conciousness from time to time. that is why you sometimes see children spinning in circles, or depriving themselves of Oxygen to get light headed. Whether you do it by Drugs, or Alcohol, or Chocolate, or Yoga, or tai-chi, or meditation is your business. Personally, I choose Marijuana, but that is just me.
   — sbinkerd1

December 3, 2001
EVEN THOUGH I AM A PRE-OP, ALL THAT I HAVE READ SHOWS THAT ALCOHOL WILL GO STAIGHT TO YOUR LIVER WITHOUT THE NORMAL STOMACH JUICES TO DILUTE IT, THUS CAUSING LIVER DAMAGE. THINK ABOUT IT.
   — [Anonymous]

December 3, 2001
Having an a alcohol beverage once in a while is ok, but if you've ever researched what it does to the body, you'd make it a once in a while thing. You say your friends drink drink drink, maybe it's time to get new friends. Hopefully these friends aren't driving driving driving afterward.
   — [Anonymous]

December 3, 2001
I just get a wine glass with water and it looks like I'm 'drinking.' Then I just sit back and watch everyone else get stupid. After a while it gets irritating being around a bunch of drunks when I'm the only one that's sober. I was told by one drunk friend that I'm not a very nice sober person. I wanted to burst out laughing and should have, but I didn't. From now on, if everyone is going to be drinking a lot ... I'm staying at home. I like being sober and know what I'm doing -- a far cry from when I was much younger. HA!
   — Betty Todd

December 5, 2001
Have you tried any of the non-alcoholic drinks? Bartenders usually have recipies for several that have the look of the real thing with none of the harmful booze. There are also "near" beers. They do have a bit of a different taste from the real thing but, they don't taste bad.
   — Melissa S.

December 20, 2001
I am 5 weeks post op and tried some alcohol a few days ago. I tried some gin with orange juice. It went down okay and I didn't get sick but it just wasn't the same as pre-op (I used to down at least 8oz gin and sprite every evening after work). My stomach felt as if it were tingling and I felt drunk after only .5 oz. Wine was too carbonated for me so that's out. Try a little bit at a time and only one new drink at a time. That way you know how each one affects you. I haven't read anything about how it damages our organs more but after reading some of the posts tonight I think I'm going to do some research.
   — Shonda J.

December 20, 2001
Honestly- I was still able to drink quite a bit, and I too drink on most weekends. My first choice was for the high sugar white russians and the like... Hey, I was down 70lbs. and feeling GOOD< and I wanted to party! Well I did and then I had to have my gallbladderout- I think I made that sucker work over time for the stuff I was eating. Since I had my gallbladder out, I cannot drink them anymore- maybe one, verrrry slowly- but I know how awful they are for me and I stay away. Anyhow, I now stick to watered down 7&7 or Whiskey/Cokes and I usually only need one to get me where 3 would before. I also seem to be sober much faster, and not so bad on the hangovers afterwards! Plus the amount of water we ingest is good for that as well! Wine has always made my teeth feel gross, but I have found 1 glass does not buzz me as bad as hard alcohol (even watered down/lots of ice).... I do know that I can get drunk SUPERFAST, and OUTTANOWHERE so I make sure I have eaten something within the past 2 hours before I imbibe. I hate the feeling of being out of control and sometimes all the sugar in alchol can really do a number on your system- and it sometimes sneaks up on you. I feel everything in moderation is fine- I feel that I did not have this surgery so I could hang at the monastery, I had it for my co-morbids and the fact that I didn't WANT to go out since I was so unhappy. So go out with your friends and have a good time. Do what makes you happy, but not sick.
   — Karen R.

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