So just wondering why its so long to have a drink. I've been drying for just a small glass of wine. Work has been super stressful, well let me rephase that- LIFE has been super stressful. UGH. Any help would be great!

Main reasons:

1) Empty calories- inhibit weight loss, leads to dehydration/water retention

2) Our livers are already working overtime in the rapid weight loss stage, why put more crap in there for it to process??? Your body has been through hell and is going through so many physiological changes that alcohol can contribute to even more issues during your weight loss phase.

3) Transfer addiction- Take away the ability eat through your emotions, pick up a bottle and start drowning the issues in a bottle

I was only required to wait 3 months. However, I didn't drink until I was at goal. I knew going in that I was not willing to suffer any consequences from having alcohol early out. I was too focused on getting to goal, and getting healthy. However, many people start drinking earlier, and suffer no ill effects. We trusted our surgeons to amputate the majority of a major organ, I figure we should trust them on what we put in our bodies post-op.

Here are some other topics that have been shared over time here on this subject:

http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/22739-another-alcohol-question/page__p__191944__hl__alcohol__fromsearch__1#entry191944

http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/22435-alcohol-carbonated-bevs/page__p__189205__hl__alcohol__fromsearch__1#entry189205

http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/19240-sugaralcohol/page__p__162127__hl__alcohol__fromsearch__1#entry162127

Remember that post-op care instructions vary from doctor to doctor, so different people will be told different things.

From what I know, avoiding alcohol is important for two reasons. First and most important, your stomach is still healing for six months; the scar formation -- which is very important -- around your incision could be compromised if you constantly irritate the lining, and alcohol does exactly that. In fact excess alcohol can actually cause necrosis (tissue death) in the stomach lining. Is that what you want going on when your stomach is still trying to heal from a very traumatic surgery?

Also, I've heard that rapid weight loss really taxes your liver, and alcohol can make that worse. Lots of obese people have a condition called hepatosteatosis -- fatty liver -- which is actually a very serious condition which can lead to cirrhosis (scarring) of the liver, or even -- in extreme cases -- death. If your liver is still recovering from this, are you sure that adding alcohol (another liver toxin) to the mix is a good idea?

Bottom line, follow your doctor's orders to the letter if you're hoping for the best recovery and good weight loss results. They make those recommendations for a reason

Thanks for info, and to clarify, i wasnt planning on downing a bottle, i just meant a few sips here and there- nothing crazy. I'm normally not a big drinker but sometimes just taking a nice hot bubble bath and having a small glass sounds amazing. Just to help relax a bit.

Downing a whole bottle! BWHAAAAAA. . . that is funny. . . I had my first drink after 12 weeks (and with the blessing of the doctor) and let me tell you it was sooooo yum. . and since then have been having my good old rum and cokes regularly. . . hasn't hurt me any. . . doctor just said drink within moderation, so that is what i do. . . i don't see the harm in a sip or two of wine, but i would really ask the doctor and honey don't say it's because of the stress of this and that, just say you want a drink! If it was because of the stress, heavens 1 bottle wouldn't cover it and we'd all be alcoholics! hehehehe . . . good luck!

The other day, I grabbed my wineglass and a sugar-free popsicle. A glass of wine with dinner had been normal for me before surgery. It felt good to use my wineglass again, so my recommendation is to find nonalcoholic versions to fill it with. Have you tried that juice that comes in a wine bottle? It is great for those special occasions when you want to pop a cork.