Question:
Let's talk Alcohol

I went out tonight, which happens very rarely. I don't want to drink beer because of the corbonation. I am 4 months out and don't want to drink for now really until I reach my goal, and then only on certain occassions. Tell me what your doctors say about alcohol and the why's and do's and dont's you have learned and maybe the when as well. I miss just having that fun buzz feeling to get out and whirl around the dance floor.    — Michele B. (posted on November 16, 2003)

November 16, 2003
I was told to wait a year or until you stop losing large amounts of weight. Reason? The liver is working at full capacity + trying to flush all the fat and waste from your body and adding alcohol to it (which turns into formaldahyde in your liver, by the way - and yes, I do drink :>) just puts it under even more tremendous strain. You can someday enjoy that buzz again, just give your bod a chance to do it's job first. Good luck!
   — [Deactivated Member]

November 16, 2003
Michele, I drank at a few mos post-op, I drink occasionally as my hubby & I are big wine drinkers. One thing I would keep in mind, is that drinking is similiar to dumping. What makes you dump on minute, might not the next. Sometimes, 1 drink is fine with me, others, I am on the floor. My one suggestion to you, it have your first drink at your home so you will know how it affects you. And, so you don't overdo it, please read my 7-14-03 post to see how liquor can reach screw u up post-op (click on my name below). I would steer clear of beer as the bubbles will make your tummy feel weird. I would go with red wine or maybe something with vodka (as vodka has no carbs), I enjoy vodka and watered down cranberry jiuce or vodka & water (usually fruit20). Good Luck. Heather Open RNY 8-15-03 305/183/150.
   — heathercross

November 16, 2003
I haven't gotten a consistent answer from everyone at the program that I went through - mostly they are against alcohol because of the effects on the liver, the CALORIES (carbs or not, alcohol is pretty much a lot of empty calories... ok, maybe there's some benefit to the tanins (sp?) in red wine), and the fast effect on post-ops... that said at support group people talk about enjoying an occasional glass of wine. Seems like that might be OK - but of course in moderation, and as others wisely advised - maybe trying at home first. I actually am looking forward to trying wine some day.... won't do beer - always had a distaste for it, and once I had a sip of carbonated water on accident - WOW, yucka bubbles... so won't be trying any beer soon;-)
   — w8free

November 16, 2003

   — Cosmo K.

November 16, 2003
Hi Michele. Iam 3 months post-op and I was at a Halloween party ,but..........right behind my house and I have already tryed vodka and cranberry, but that night I wanted to try a beer so I did acually I had 4 beers in a 5 hour time frame and did well, not sying Iam making a habit of drinking beer. But its weird I drink soda my stomach feels funny, but the beer didnt bother me a bit (Ying-Ling). Well Good Luck!! Christine 3 mosths and 76lbs on the losing side :)
   — blainejrjeni

November 17, 2003
My doc said just to be very careful with the alcohol/sugar combination, and that it would be best to avoid it. I am 3 mos out, and on Halloween I had 1/2 a frozen margarita and was quite toasted! I was never a big drinker anyway, one or two drinks would do me anyway, but now the alcohol just hit me SO FAST, I felt it almost immediately. Be careful and maybe try it at home first in case you are adversely affected!
   — beeda

November 17, 2003
Hi Michelle, I'm 15 months post-op. The dear hubby and I went to Destin, FL (such a beautiful place) this past September to celebrate my one year surgery mark and my birthday. A couple of days into our trip and I decided to have a couple of tastes of beer. Those sips went fine so I drank a whole one. Within about 10 minutes I had quite the buzz, but it only lasted about 10 minutes (haha). A couple of days later when we were out to dinner I thought "the beer went fine, I'll just order myself a pina colada." (MAJOR MISTAKE!!). I got sicker than a dog right in the restaurant! It was horrible, I thought I was actually having a heart attack I hurt so bad! I will never do that again for sure. I have been terrified of another "dumping" after that. It was far too much sugar for me....I can handle a little bit at a time but I certainly was foolish to think I could drink a full on pina colada! (bonks herself on the head & snickers)
   — Robin L.