Question:
Beer After Surgery
I enjoy a good beer now and again...and was wondering if I'd be able to drink beer, wine etc after surgery or not? If so, how long after? I keep thinking back to weight watchers and how many points beers were and how on another diet I couldnt' have any because of the carbs...so I'm curious. — Renee B. (posted on March 15, 2003)
March 15, 2003
Renee my Dr. told me No Alcohol for 1 year after surgery, and for some
people it may be never again.
— Cathy M.
March 15, 2003
i had like 3 mixed drinks about a month post op..was just fine..i skipped
the beer coz of carbs but there is a low carb beer out now..
— christine S.
March 15, 2003
I am one year post op and every once in awhile I drink 1/2 of a beer.
Michelob makes a low carb beer called Michelob Ultra. I normally stay away
from carbonated beverages but when I do go out with friends for a drink
that is usually what I have....and 1/2 a beer is all I need.
— Kelly T.
March 15, 2003
Beer might bother you post-op because of the carbonation. I'm 4 months out,
and can barely tolerate a few sips. Previous postings state to drink red
wine because it has the least amount of sugar compared to other alcoholic
drinks. I've drank wine and it went down fine. Some may also say that
you'll feel it faster~
— jengrz
March 15, 2003
Renee, there are different opinions on beer, and whether alcohol should be
drank at all after surgery. My surgeon says that alcohol in moderation is
okay, just ot be careful because we get drunk ALOT faster, and the alcohol
isn't broke down in our stomachs, so it basically goes straight to the
liver. If you are going to drink, make sure you get blood tests to check
liver enzymes! I have drank a beer or two (I am 9 months post-op) but I
don't like carbonation and believe it isn't really good for our stomachs.
Also, it makes me burp and feel really bloated! I do drink wine though.
Never have more than 2 glasses in one night. And I make sure I eat well
that night, and factor in those calories to my daily total. If you are
going to go for the beer, I think its Michelob that makes a light beer,
like 95 calories and literally only a few carbs, so it isn't aaas bad as
regular. I think I had my first drink at about 4 months post-op, which was
probably too soon. I'm fine and blood work is great, but I would suggest
waiting atleast 6 months. Goodluck to you~
— Lezlie Y.
March 15, 2003
I've never been a drinker. I've never been drunk...don't like the taste
much and I figure with my weight it would take a heck of a lot to get me
tippsy. Anyway, a friend and I were suppose to get together for margaritas
but have never been able to. She's been pregnant, then breastfeeding now
pregnant again and I'm going to be having WLS so I don't think we'll ever
get out night of partying. I have a whole bottle of tequila and mix in my
kitchen. I've had my blender for over a year and it's still in the box so
I really think I should break it in by making myself some drinks...before I
start pureeing food. But I just don't think it would be fun to do by
myself.
Sorry I didn't answer your question, just had to comment on the topic.
— Sarahlicious
March 15, 2003
I was advised that drinking any kind of alcohol is not good for your liver.
I no longer goes thru your stomach and part of your intestine, so it goes
thru faster and builds up in the liver to break down. You'll get drunk
faster, so you should not drive and you should be able to sit somewhere if
you get dizzy. People who have WLS and drink get Ciirhosis of the liver
much faster and esier than normal.
— Sally P.
March 15, 2003
I'm still pre-op, but that subject did come up at a support group I attend.
The gal that leads the group is post-op by several years, and she said she
does enjoy an occassional drink. Like everything else, she said, everyone
will react differently, but as long as she keeps it occassional, she's ok
with it.
— lorien
March 15, 2003
I'm a BTC pre op patient, so I don't know if this will matter to you or
not, but in their "post surgical instructions", it says, "no
pop, carbonated beverages, or alcohol for 6 months".
— Cat S.
March 15, 2003
Renee, I drink beer, I also drink cosmos, vodka & cranberry, merlot,
shiraz, cabarnet and vodka tonics. I am 7 mos out. I had my first drink @
4mos, carbonation has no ill effect on me! It may you. My suggestion,
make sure you have your first dtink at home, in case it really hits you and
also have a drink but, like everyhting else, IN MODERATION! I will say
this one thing, when you have had 1 too many (which I have had 2X since
surgery), throwing up is a lot different than it was pre-op! Good Luck.
Heather (Open RNY 8/15 - 305/205/150)
— heathercross
March 15, 2003
Almost forgot, forget the beer, the carbs are too high, vodka is carb free!
and it mixes pretty good with crystal light (rasperry ice).
— heathercross
March 15, 2003
I waited a couple of months before drinking. (I don't drink on a regular
basis but I do like a drink every once in a while) Just remember that you
will get drunk very fast!!! It only takes two now. The is a new low or no
carb beer out by Michelob. Wine has a lot of sugar I can drink one or two
small galsses more than that will make me dump.
— Linda A.
March 15, 2003
Funny you should ask this question. I'm 8 weeks out and I tried my first
beer lastnight. I have a wedding to go to next weekend so I wanted to test
myself beforehand. I had maybe, half of a Coors Light (only 5 carbs) and I
put it over ice to help get rid of the bubbles. I was perfectly fine. Then
I took a few swallows of a regular beer without ice and I was fine. My
doctor said alcohol is fine, just be careful because it will hit you
faster. As for the carbs and calories, I'm not going to worry, because I
don't drink often and I had this surgery so I could enjoy my life again and
not be deprived all the time. So once in a while is perfectly fine in my
book. Good Luck!
— Kelly* P.
March 15, 2003
Thanks everyone! Right now if I drink its only 1 or 1/2 a beer as I get
buzzed easy and don't like that feeling. I do enjoy a glass of wine with
dinner though...
— Renee B.
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