Question:
When is it okay to have a drink?

I was just wondering when it would be okay to have a drink. I'm about a month and a half out and although I know its probably not safe to have one yet...I'm planning a vacation for September and wondered if a glass of wine or something would hurt me?? THanks for any answers.    — Tara N. (posted on July 17, 2003)

July 16, 2003
The dietitian told me to wait until 2 mos. post-op and then only have a very small glass of wine. She advised the alcohol will have two times the effect it did before! I've had wine and feel a slight buzz that usually passes within half an hour. Be careful.
   — Deanna C.

July 17, 2003
I had a couple of glasses of wine at about 2 months pot-op. I drank them very slowly, sipping water at the same time, and felt it more than usual. I did not, however, have the extreme reaction to alcohol that some people do after surgery. I would be careful, drink v-e-r-y slowly, and make sure to stay hydrated by drinking water. Enjoy your vacation!
   — Tina W.

July 17, 2003
My surgeon said to wait AT LEAST four months, longer would be better. He is more concerned about the possibility of developing ulcers than the fact that we become drunk much more quickly after the bypass.
   — Vespa R.

July 17, 2003
I am not that much of a drinker, but on occasion I do have a drink. I take diet Cranberry juice and add a little vanilla schnapps...mmmm. I have not dumped from it, and one drink gives me quite the buzz. My husband says that I'm now a cheap date, 3-4 chicken McNuggets, 3-4 fries and one drink and look out! LOL! I had my first drink at 8 months, because I was just to afraid of dumping prior to that.
   — Dana B.

July 17, 2003
Hi I am 2 mos out, and have a glass of wine with water on the side like another poster stated. I can't finish the whole glass...too slow..I don't get drunk, just a bit buzzed. Have fun, but don't forget the extra calories, compensate some where else. MaryLyn 5/21/03 -48
   — Kriola

July 17, 2003
hello, i was 4months post-op before i took my first official drink, OH SO GOOD. Reading in the past post about drinking so Dr's say 6 months out. Good Luck
   — sexysag37

July 18, 2003
I don't drink but your question came up our support group meeting last week. All the post ops started laughing - some of them hysterically. They had all had a drink or tried one at one stage or another. They were laughing because all of them said they got pretty tipsy right away. No one seemed to have ay other side effects and all of them enjoyed themselves. They all just warned us to take it easy as the alcohol effects seemed to be more intense. Cheers!
   — Deborah F.