I just have a general question.. How long post op does one have to wait before having a drink.. Im not planning on going ou drinking yet..lol just curious.. I am 3 weeks post op starting monday july 4..

Good question. I doubt I could drink anymore than a sip but I was wondering this same thing.

I just have a general question.. How long post op does one have to wait before having a drink.. Im not planning on going ou drinking yet..lol just curious.. I am 3 weeks post op starting monday july 4..

I waited a full 3 months post op before starting alcohol and now have it weekly (but then I'm 18 months out)

My surgeon "allowed" me wine at 2 months out. He reminded me it was empty calories, but that I would be ok - just take it slowly. And believe me, I had to! Those first glasses were strong & it took forever to get them down. But, it tasted sooooo good!

Since about 1 year out, I enjoy a small glass every evening. It's sorta my little "treat" and I incorporate those calories into my daily caloric allowance. It's also supposed to be good for the heart, so I figured my little treat is a good one for me too.

But, I would strongly advise any newbie sleevers to talk to your surgeon before starting any alcohol - especially in the losing phase.

My doc was extremely lenient in recommending waiting until two months out. I've seen people posting here who were told six months, a year, or NEVER.

He also said to try to avoid alcohol. It's not good for weight loss and rotten for your liver, which, if you're very overweight, it probably not in the greatest of shape anyway. I went on vacation at exactly two months and had a couple bottles of white over a couple weeks, and it all went down fine, HOWEVER it took me much longer to recover because I got tipsy a lot faster. Also hydration becomes an issue when you're timing your fluids and working on getting *them* down too.

Doc also recommended that if you're going to drink, take an extra ppi a couple hours beforehand to handle stomach irritation.

I think basically as soon as your stomach is healed, you CAN do it. But stay hydrated, watch the calories, know your limits, and take an extra ppi. After a couple runins with too much alcohol and not enough Water, I order white wine spritzers with HALF non-carbonated water. Tastes fantastic and minimizes all the other types of damage.