Since a lot of people, pre-op and post-op, ask about alcohol consumption, I thought I'd throw out my experience.

Last night, we attended John's squadron Christmas party. I wanted to try a glass of wine. They had a decent assortment, and I chose a Kendall Jackson Reisling.

I drank about 1/2 the glass before our meal while socializing, zero issues, no burning, pain, or discomfort. Then, ate, 3 bites of prime rib, 3 bites of the stuffed chicken, about 4oz of mashed potatoes with gravy, and 3 or 4 broccoli florets. After dinner, I had a few sips of coffee, then finished the glass of wine.

I also took 3 small bites of cheesecake, and John ate the rest. Everything tasted very good, and around 9:30, I decided to have another glass of wine. Again, no ill effects, no burning, no pain, and I never caught a "buzz". Just a normal little relaxed feeling that I got pre-op from wine.

I was really hesitant to try anything alcoholic, but am happy to report that I was able to enjoy a couple glasses of wine without issues.

thats great Tiff, was wondering if I should take a bottle of wine to Alisons at Christmas - the men don't drink it, but traditionally Alison and I do. Do you think 3 months post op would be too soon for a few sips of wine before the turkey meal?

I was reading an article (I think it was on OH newsletter) that said one drink for a person who has WLS is equivalent to 4 drinks.

I'm so glad to hear that it was ok Tiff. I'm not a big drinker at all. In fact I might have a glass of wine twice a year, but I sure would like to be able to have a glass now and again once I'm 6 months out or so.

Thanks!

Wow Tiffy, you are actually living your life and enjoying food proportionately! This is something I want so badly--this is the "normal" I hope to aspire to. I am not a drinker per se but on occasion enjoy a little wine or a fancy frozen tropical drink. I'm now 3 months out so like Stoongal am wondering if it is still to early to sip on anything alcoholic.

thats great Tiff, was wondering if I should take a bottle of wine to Alisons at Christmas - the men don't drink it, but traditionally Alison and I do. Do you think 3 months post op would be too soon for a few sips of wine before the turkey meal?

Donna - I was cleared for wine late August, so I was about 3.5 months to 4 months post-op. My surgeon advised me to steer clear of red wines. I didn't ask why, but I'm sure he has his thought process. I like very few red wines, and prefer a nice Reisling or Pinot.

I would just use caution to see how your body reacts. I had read where others experienced pain/burning, I did not, others said they got drunk quick, I did not, others said they got drunk then sobered up quickly, I never got a true buzz feeling.

I used to be a big weekend drinker, and I drank to get drunk. After meeting my husband in 2006, my drinking/partying subsided. I was strictly a social drinker, and only enjoyed a few rum and cokes.

When I had my band, I enjoyed wine frequently, and an occasional mojito.

I'm not sure about that article about alcohol consumption from OH. I could see a RNY patient having those type of issues, but since our stomachs are full-functioning, with no re-routing or malabsorption, I can't see alcohol effecting us that heavily. Again, that's just my experience. I'm definitely not a drinker as this was my first attempt since my revision in June. But, knowing now that I can handle a glass of wine is very comforting, and quite enjoyable.

Good to hear that I might enjoy my Midori Colada once a year like always...lol

Tiff, I figured they were referring to RNY patients. It's good to know a little now and then will probably be ok.

Thanks again for letting us know.

I had a few sips of wine at Thanksgiving. Only 6 weeks post op. Did not like it. Ray finished it for me. I did not realize wine would be an issue. Maybe that sounds silly, but Wine is grapes to me. HA .

More recently, I had a cocktail at a Christmas party. It was 1/2 oz of apple vodka with cranberry juice and sparkling water. I was fine (did not finish it though) I just enjoyed myself and I was fine. No burning, no uncomfortable feelings at all. I drank a protein drink before we went to the party. It was not a dinner, just a party with all the snacky foods you could imagine. I chose: cheese, grapes, shrimp, and two crackers covered with something?good. I had one bite of a decadent brownie and one bite of home made sinful fudge some one brought. Ray ate the rest. He is so good to clean up after me. He just waits until I have made my choices and then gets something else if I did not choose what he wanted. Too funny. Had a great time and I am down 1 lb. on today's (monday) weigh in. (weekly)

Tiffy: did you loose or gain for the week after the party?

I had a few sips of wine at Thanksgiving. Only 6 weeks post op. Did not like it. Ray finished it for me. I did not realize wine would be an issue. Maybe that sounds silly, but Wine is grapes to me. HA .

More recently, I had a cocktail at a Christmas party. It was 1/2 oz of apple vodka with cranberry juice and sparkling Water. I was fine (did not finish it though) I just enjoyed myself and I was fine. No burning, no uncomfortable feelings at all. I drank a Protein drink before we went to the party. It was not a dinner, just a party with all the snacky foods you could imagine. I chose: cheese, grapes, shrimp, and two crackers covered with something?good. I had one bite of a decadent brownie and one bite of home made sinful fudge some one brought. Ray ate the rest. He is so good to clean up after me. He just waits until I have made my choices and then gets something else if I did not choose what he wanted. Too funny. Had a great time and I am down 1 lb. on today's (monday) weigh in. (weekly)

Tiffy: did you loose or gain for the week after the party?

This is going to sound crazy to most everyone, but for those that have followed my story, I have been wishing for a stall for a long time.

I found the secret, and finally this last week, I lost absolutely zero pounds and I'm pretty ecstatic about it. I've been incorporating more carbs and salads into my diet. I had to slow down my weight loss. Since Sept 15th, I've dropped 42lbs which is twice as much as I was "supposed" to drop in that time frame.

I am trying my best to maintain at this point since we want to conceive sometime in the late Spring 2010. I have 6 pounds to goal, and I really need to maintian a weight of 145-150 pounds. Right now, I'm sitting pretty at 156. If I can't maintain that weight, we can't TTC (try to conceive). So, it's imperative that I maintain even if that means that I eat a few more grams of carbs than I am technically supposed to be consuming at this time.