Question:
I would Like to know if you are allowed to drink alcohol at all after surgery.

   — Tracey M. (posted on July 23, 2003)

July 23, 2003
I have read that alcohol hits like a ton of bricks after surgery. I guess we have to remember "moderation". I like a little sip of cognac myself on occasion. Also I think it depends on how far away from your surgery you are. When you first come home from the hospital I don't think we can have too much of anything. Also REMEMBER that alcohol is fattening!!!! God Bless you on your journey... I have 13 more days before surgery.
   — Eleanore Davis

July 23, 2003
You'll get a lot of different opinions on this question. Doctors say many different things and everyone’s personal experience is different. I think that you will have to find the answer for yourself. I do drink beer and wine from time to time. I'm still loosing weight and it hasn't been a problem for me. Alcohol does have calories and is often mixed with other beverages such as fruit juice or soda that have even more calories and sometimes sugar, so you have to keep that in mind when you make your choices. I dump on fruit juice, but not on wine. I would never drink a margarita or anything sweet like that. This is like a lot of other things with this surgery, it comes down to choices and trade offs. For me, it is worth it to cut out some other calories and carbs to have a glass of wine once in a while. Someone else may prefer to skip the wine and have some other treat. To me, this is what long term weight management is all about. Of course, excessive consumption of alcohol is very bad for the liver and may be even more of a problem for RNY patients. You may also find yourself becoming intoxicated much more quickly then before your surgery. If you do decide to drink, please be very aware of your personal tolerance level and absolutely do not drive even after a small amount.
   — Amber L.

July 23, 2003
Tracy, yes you can. But, please do in moderation, if you want to see how bad it hits you, please check out my profile and read my comments from the weekend of July 12th.
   — heathercross

July 23, 2003
My surgeon said we could drink alcohol after at least four months after surgery, and waiting longer would be better. He said that alcohol can cause ulcers where all the new "plumbing" is connected if you're not fully healed, so waiting longer is better. Also be aware that intoxication will happen much more quickly than before, be careful of the empty calories, and know that some people won't like alcohol after surgery, just like with some foods.
   — Vespa R.

July 23, 2003
My doc told me that post-op, alcohol will affect my liver five times more than it did pre-op as we no longer metabolize it in the same way. So BE CAREFUL. You can really damage your liver in a short amount of time. I don't want to trade obesity for chirrosis! The good (bad?) news is that a 1/2 glass of wine will now make me tipsy.
   — mom2jtx3

July 23, 2003
Hi Tracey, I am 4 mos out, occasionally have wine and it hasn't affected me in the least bit. 2 glasses and I am not the least bit tipsy. I didn't drink more than that before surgery, so I won't post-op. Have a good day -
   — M B.