Question:
Does anyone drink alcohol? I'm 4 months post op.
I have been hearing both sides of the fence on the question. Can we drink alcohol at all? Has anyone done it? Do you dump? I am so interested, please let me know your experiences. Thanks in advance! :) — Kristen H. (posted on May 11, 2005)
May 11, 2005
I was told by my dr. that it is better not to, but realistically speaking,
it is ok to have an occasional drink as long as I remember it will hit
harder and faster than before and do not put myself in an unsafe situation.
I rarely have 1 glass of wine or a drink, ones w/ a lot of sugar will make
you dump if you are a dumper. There Is an issue for some post ops having
had an addictive personality substituting alcohol abuse for their previous
food abuse and it is something to be very aware of for your health,
happiness, and safety
— **willow**
May 11, 2005
Krystyn, I drink every saturaday night when we Bowl I have been since about
the 2nd month out, Iam not saying Iam a drunk but it doesnt bother me and I
dont dump, and it acaully isnt any different from before the surgery I have
no troubles, but like I said I drink only on Saturadays maybe a beer here
and there once in awhile. Well good luck to you. Take Care Christine
Post-Op 151 lbs on the losing side
— blainejrjeni
May 11, 2005
I have been imbibing for a while. Honestly, it doesn't matter.... except
for the fact that it hits you harder and faster. I learned the hard way, I
was a mess... not once but twice. Finally I learned. When I drink alcohol
I also drink water... never forget your water! I used to be able to drink
all night long, now I have to drink water and my drink and still it hits
me... HARD! It is all good, just remember it is empty calories.. it can be
counter productive. Besides this, just be careful... it does affect you
more than it did before!
Amber
— septembergirl73
May 11, 2005
Drinking alcholic beverages raises the larger question: are you committed
to changing your life permanently or is the surgery going to be a temporary
change while you lose the weight... And then find yourself gaining it
back.
Alcoholic beverages are EMPTY calories; calories that our daily quota can
hardly afford to squander.
Plus, chances are when you drink beer or cocktails, you're SNACKING - that
mindless munchies behavior.
If you find yourself hanging out with a drinking crowd, well, that's kinda
like getting out of drug rehab and hanging out with a dopin' crowd. You may
con yourself into believing you can "take it or leave it
anytime," or "I won't give in," but, honestly...
I've found that if I'm enjoying a good dinner, I may order wine by the
glass, BUT, I know that I'll be leaving about half of it, or my husband
will thoughtfully offer to finish it [LOL].
If you're a serious beer afficionado, most micro breweries will sell
"sampler" size glasses.
If you used to enjoy cocktails, experiment with diet tonic water with a
twist of lime, or a "virgin" Bloody Mary.
But it's really more important that you take a look at the emotional issues
and behaviors that "going back" to social drinking raise.
Are you prepared to increase your exercise level to burn off the calories
you drank the night before?
I hope you can hear that, for me, this isn't a "morality" issue;
I don't think responsible social drinking is "bad." I do think
that those of us who want to enjoy the rest of our lives in a healthy,
active body have to commit to "spending" our daily allowance of
1200-1500 calories (depending on your metabolic rate & exercise level)
very, very wisely.
It's so much easier not to go back to the old habits during your first year
post-op then to find yourself panicing and depressed 2 years out because
you are starting to experience what I call the "mini- yo-yo
cycle" the drama of battling off 5/ 10/ 15+ lbs. over and over.
I'll be talking about my EMBODY Success coaching method at the EAST COAST
NATIONAL CONF. May 20-22nd. I'll also be giving free consultations. Hope
y'all can make it there! Or you can visit me at my website:
www.embodysuccess.com.
Lovingly,
Lauralyn
— EmbodySuccess
May 12, 2005
Kristen, yes, at this point it would ok to drink but be careful. Most of
the time it hits your really fast and hard, for most. With that being
said, alcohol WILL stall weightloss and for a longer term postop, cause a
gain. Moderation darlin. I am not going to deter you from it because we
ALL stray to old habits at one time or another. They did surgery on our
stomachs, not our heads. Ultimately it is up to you in the end. It all
boils down to input verses output, food or alcohol. Good luck in your
journey sweetie and congratulations on your loss to date! Hugs...Erika
— Egyptianeyesdiva
May 12, 2005
As you can see, there are many different ideas and thoughts. Dr.
Richardson in St. Louis says that yes drinking is fine. BUT ... NONE until
6 months. Then as everyone has said, be very careful until you know how
you react with alcohol. One margarita makes me quite tipsy and I would not
drive after having one. (I have to say that the tipsyness doesnt seem to
last as long... so maybe it is that initial shock and then becomes like
before I had surgery and would take 2 to make a lasting difference). I
would still NOT drive at all after having even just one, but I do drink
occasionally with my Dr.s blessing.
Lisa
LAP RNY 08/31/2004
220/140/110
— chelle_0608
May 12, 2005
For me it is no longer any fun. I have about a half of a mixed drink, and
am feeling really good. I know if I push anymore then that half a drink I
will be sick. Then about 30 minutes later, the feeling has passed and I
feel like I could start all over again.
Bridget
— Mini Gadget
May 12, 2005
I did not have any alcohol until about 7th month post op. I have a glass of
red wine (more like a half glass) about once a week. I find different wines
affect me differently. I had a white wine once that got me woozy in 2 sips.
I also have had a half shot of whiskey in a can of diet pepsi ,maybe once
every 2 weeks. No problems, except occassional dumping after more than a
half glass of wine. Cannot handle those sweet frozen fruity drinks...I get
sick any time I try to get one of those down. I think moderation is key.
Why do folks always think you go all the way or not at all? I read
someone's post where she mentioned dedication to the surgery and weight
loss. I think we need to get our lives back and if we enjoy a drink, go for
it...WHY NOT?! <bad girl grin> Take care, Kathy in MA
— Kathy A C.
May 12, 2005
Alcohol is one thing I never really did after surgery. I may have taken a
sip to taste a drink someone had made, but never "had a drink". I
was not one to drink regularly anyway before surgery, and so I don't really
miss it. My sister, also a WLS post-op, does have wine from time to time,
and says it hits her really quick---less than a full glass of wine will do
it to her.
— Fixnmyself
May 13, 2005
Another thing to consider is that while you are in rapid weight loss your
liver has to work extremely hard to rid your body of the extra toxins being
released due to the weight loss. If you add alcohol to that, you are
adding even more strain on your already overworked liver. That is why I
personally am waiting to imbibe...and yes I would love to drink now and I
am a hardcore drinker when I do (tequila, whiskey)...but I dont want to
interfere with my weight loss and put my body in any more distress than it
already is. My surgeons reccomendations are to wait at least one year, but
I may just wait till I am at goal to have my own drink again =) (not to
say I wont have a sip from someone elses in the meantime - well after my 1
yr anniv at least) lol
— ImANewDee
May 13, 2005
Just go slow so as to not get sick. Beer is tough for me, I can drink wine
without a problem but can get drunk real easy. When I first tried to have
wine it did not sit well. As I was further out post op it didn't bother me
so much. Say 6 mos or so.
MaryLYn
— Kriola
May 13, 2005
The first time I tried alcohol was about 4 mo post-op at my parents 50th
and it was a small glass of champagne. Woohoo, I felt it! Since then, I
will have the occasional glass of wine, but you do feel it faster and it
hits you harder. I have never dumped from alcohol but then again, I don't
over do it. Yes, they are empty calories, however, drinking an occasional
drink of alcohol is perfectly normal..just don't drive! We are cheap dates
now!
— Cindy R.
May 16, 2005
Nah, I wouldn't do it at 4 months. My surgeon said you can drink after the
first year. I did not drink for over a year after my surgery and now I can
drink like I did before I had the surgery, which is not a good thing! It's
very easy to fall into the trap of trading one addiction for another so be
very careful.
— MURRAY
Click Here to Return