Question:
I'm a bit concerned about an alcohol issue
I'm post op RNY almost 3 years. I've been at goal for a long while now. My concern is alcohol. I drink dry white wine about 5 times a week. I enjoy having a glass or two (sometimes three) after work. I drink the white wine becasue it appears to be the lowest in carbs. I don't feel that I have a drinking problem AT ALL, I'm just a bit concerned after reading some other posts. I was never instructed not to drink. Any insight would be helpful. Thank you and have a Happy Thanksgiving! — Kristina P. (posted on November 25, 2003)
November 25, 2003
Well a good way to tell is to not drink and see if you have the urge to.
Try not to use it to unwind from work or as a reward. Keep the emotional
attachment out of it.
— mrsmyranow
November 25, 2003
i agree 1000% with Myra. i found myself doing that when i was preop. i was
living in europe and loved to try different wines. then after i had all my
things done for the day i would like to relax with a glass of wine or two.
i wouldn't get drunk, but i did get that warm afterglow feeling. i realized
i was using wine as a drug and had to stop. eventhou i only had no more
than one or two glasses 4 times a week.
— franbvan
November 25, 2003
I think your question is about dangers of drinking after surgery - not if
you are addicted, right? My doctors says you can drink after surgery. He
suggests dry wines and cocktails without sugar. He says be careful because
you will feel the effects quickly and also it's empty calories. Since
you're at goal and three years out I would think you are fine.
— Gail L.
November 25, 2003
I have heard that it effects your liver alot more after WLS, and not to
sound aweful, but most people who have drinking problems think that they
don't. I would say it probably isn't good to be drinking a few glasses
every night. If your in doubt ask your doc!
— Saxbyd
November 25, 2003
I just had my pre op appointment and am having surgery on December 4th. My
surgeon told me nothing of the sort, just that I should wait at leasts 6
months before trying to drink alcohol. I am also not supposed to drink
carbonated beverages because of the possibility of stretching the pouch, so
that would limit the alcohol. But I haven't been warned about anything
specific except that I will be a "cheep date"! Happy
Thanksgiving to you!
— Kari H.
November 25, 2003
Kris, I am 2 plus years post-op and at goal. I drink a glass of red wine
almost every night after work, but I sometimes don't even finish the one
glass. Three glasses of wine seems like quite a lot to me. I would be
really drunk if I drank that much. The amount seems somewhat alarming to
me--not the fact that you have alcohol 4 or 5 nights a week. Perhaps you
may need to re-assess what is considered "moderate" drinking.
This is merely a suggestion and my most humble opinion. Just trying to give
you some ideas. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving.
— artistmama
November 25, 2003
My doctor advised against alcohol stating the effects will be much greater
after surgery and also because of the empty calories, however he also says
if you want to have a drink, I specified a wine cooler) it would be okay.
The liver is greatly affected though and I would limit it to once in a
while, not daily. congratulations on reaching your goal and maintaining
it. Happy Thanksgiving. Carolyn
— Carolyn B.
November 26, 2003
It is true that what we drink affects our liver much more than before.
There will be no warning signs that liver problems are coming - it just
happens and it is not good. Several years ago, I drank very regularly and
someone from AA told me that the definition of "alcoholic" or
someone with a "problem" is if you are dependent at any level.
Which I think means if you HAVE to have that drink or 3 and can't just say
"pass", you may want to get help. You didn't go through all of
this (wls) just to replace food addiction with something else. I wish you
the best - stress is not good either and maybe your Dr. can prescribe
something if that is the reason you are drinking regularly.
— Donya P.
November 26, 2003
My doctor ordered no alcohol for the first year (to give the overworked
liver a break), but after that, if liver function is normal, an occasional
drink of any type is fine. In this country we've become kind of obsessed
with the idea of drug and alcohol addiction; IMO the notion that your
consumption means you're headed for the alkie ward is silly! When I have a
drink my only regret is seeing all those empty calories on my Fitday chart!
— Chris T.
August 1, 2005
Be very careful with alcohol. I read somewhere recently that people who
have gastric bypass and drink afterward can easily undergo 'addiction
transfer', which basically means you're transferring your addiction to
food/carbs/whatever to something else...most often alcohol. As many as 25%
of gastric bypass patients undergo this phenomenon. And with alcohol being
much more potent to a GB patient, it's easy to get hooked on it.
— Kelly V.
Click Here to Return