Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

when is it ok to drink alchohol?



Recommended Posts

Ok, I know alchohol has calories, which is why they tell you to stay away from it, but is that the only reason? I am not really a drinker, but I do like to have occasional glass of wine with dinner, or if I go out dancing with my friends, I like a couple of drinks to loosen up.

There are 8 of us going to a Halloween party next Friday night. We are going all out with costumes and everything. I will only be six weeks out at the time of the party, but I feel great. No issues with eating or anything. I just want to know, is there damage that can be done from drinking? I mean I was only going to have one mixed drink, like I said, just something to help me loosen up. If you all advise against it, I won't, but will one drink do damage?

Thanks!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I personally think 6 weeks is way to early to even be THINKING about alcohol..... JMO

Ok, I know alchohol has calories, which is why they tell you to stay away from it, but is that the only reason? I am not really a drinker, but I do like to have occasional glass of wine with dinner, or if I go out dancing with my friends, I like a couple of drinks to loosen up.

There are 8 of us going to a Halloween party next Friday night. We are going all out with costumes and everything. I will only be six weeks out at the time of the party, but I feel great. No issues with eating or anything. I just want to know, is there damage that can be done from drinking? I mean I was only going to have one mixed drink, like I said, just something to help me loosen up. If you all advise against it, I won't, but will one drink do damage?

Thanks!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Yes, it IS a tad early, just because the stomach is not fully healed yet and alcohol might be quite a shock for it so soon. Whether you choose to do so or not please remember to NOT drink to excess, for health and safety reasons.

I started out on 3 oz of wine at about 8 months out and had no ill effects. I take red wine for it's purported health benefits.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I agree with others here. I think it's way to early. I only recently, 4+ months out, had a sip of red wine for a toast. I don't know if it was psychological but it felt like it burned a little. I stay away from alcohol for now and will probably wait till 6 months or so. My surgeon recommended three to four months that's why I had that "sip."

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

My dr. said 6 months.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I had a couple tiny sips of a non-carbonated mixed drink at six weeks and it did burn a little but it didn't make me sick. I don't know how comfortable I would be experimenting at a party just because you don't know how you're going to tolerate it. Believe me, I understand the draw though! I am SO looking forward to bringing wine back into my life.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Thanks everyone, the more I thought about it last night, I think it's way too early too. I still have some trouble at times eating normal foods, so I don't think alchohol this early out is very smart for me. So, no drink for me at this party, but it's ok, I will have fun anyway! Thanks for the advice!!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

not to mention you need to be careful that you aren't replacing one addiction with another at such an early stage when your body is used to getting loads of calories.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

My dr. also said the absortion of alcohol will be different after the sleeve. It will be much more potent.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I had some wine about 2 months out. No big deal. Don't over do it and be aware that you will get drunk fast with your sleeve. I've blacked out once and passed out another time. You have to be very careful. Both those episodes were way over 6 months out and had to do with drinking too much too fast.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

To be honest I did drink before 3 months and had no problem with it. I would say stay away from it as long as you can though because it will hinder your weight loss. I lost 80 lbs really quick and have stayed at this weight for 6 months. The stoppin of my weight loss is all alcohol. I drink a few drinks every weekend and then I have to lose those lbs during the week. I have not gained any weight but I am not losing it and I attribute it all to alcohol. so, my advice would be to stay away from alcohol until you are at goal weight. (That's also what my doctor keeps pounding in my head.)

.

Thanks everyone, the more I thought about it last night, I think it's way too early too. I still have some trouble at times eating normal foods, so I don't think alchohol this early out is very smart for me. So, no drink for me at this party, but it's ok, I will have fun anyway! Thanks for the advice!!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I had a beer one month out at a wedding and my dad's 60th birthday party and I was fine. Just sip slowly and enjoy. I do drink reglarly just special occasions! Just be smar.t

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Ok, well my surgeon says to wait one year. I'm clearly in the minority here but my one year will be Sat. Oct. 22nd...and I have YET to have even one sip of alcohol (or soda for that matter!) but that's just me. I'm a rule follower and I'm not a big drinker so it was no big deal for me to give up alcohol for a year. I'm a bit curious to see the effect of alcohol on my sleeve but not curious enough to try it yet. Maybe someday soon!

Glad you had second thoughts about it...let that tummy heal first! B)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

The rationale for the 1 year (or longer) wait that some surgeons impose is to help preserve liver health - being obese (or worse), our livers are not in the best of shape to begin with (which is why some surgeons impose the pre-op diet, to help improve the liver condition since they are working in such close proximity to it when doing the sleeve) and then it gets seriously taxed in its role im metaboliziing all the fat that we are losing. With all that going on, it doesn't need any more stress from handling the alcohol. My doc's rule is no alcohol during the entire weight loss period (and reinforced in the psych eval as to whether one can give it up for 18 months, give or take - whatever it takes to get the weight off.) My surgeon also specialized in biliopancreatic transplants, so needless to say he's a bit anal about liver care. I also tend to listen to him on such things as he has a better perspective on the issue than most bariatric surgeons.

Take it for what you will - we're all adults here.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • Doughgurl

      2 days until I fly out to San Diego to have my Bypass Surg. in Tiajuana Mexico. Not gonna lie, the nerves are starting to surface. I don't fear the surgery itself, or the fact that I'm traveling alone, but its the aftermath that I'm stressing about the most, after this 8 week wait. I'm excited to finally be here, but I am really dreading the post surgical chapter. I know its going to be tough, real tough and I think I'm just in my head to much now that the day i here. Wish me luck, Hopefully I'm one of the lucky ones, and everything goes smoothly. Cant wait to give an exciting update,. If there is anyone else have a June bypass or even a recent one, Id love to have someone to compare war stories with. Also, anyone near San Antonio Tx? See ya soon with the future me. 💜
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 2 replies
      1. Selina333

        I'm so happy for you! You are about to change your life. I was so glad to get the sleeve done in Dec. I didn't have feelings of regret overall. And I'm down almost 60 lbs. I do feel a little sad at restaurants. I can barely eat half a kid's meal. I get adults meals often because kid ones don't have the same offerings at times. Then I feel obligated to eat on that until it's gone and that can be days. So the restaurant thing isn't great for me. All the rest is fine by me! I love feeling full with very little. I do wish I could drink when eating. And will sip at the end. Just a strong habit to stop. But I'm working on it! You will do fine! Just keep focused on your desire to be different. Not better or worse. But different. I am happy both ways but my low back doesn't like me that heavy. So I listened (also my feet!). LOL! Update us on your journey! I'm not far from you. I'm in Houston. Good luck and I hope it all goes smoothly! Would love to see pics of the town you go to for this. I've never been there. Neat you will be traveling for this! Enjoy the journey. Take it one day at a time. Sometimes a few hours at a time. Follow all recommendations as best you can. 💗

      2. Doughgurl

        Thank you so much for your well wishes. I am hoping that everything goes easy for me as well. We don't eat out much as it is, so it wont be too bad in that department. Thankfully. Also, I hear you regarding your back and feet!! I'd like to add knees to the list. Killing me as we speak! I'm only 5' so the weight has to go. Too short to carry all this weight. Menopause really did a doosey on me. (😶lol) My daughter also lives in Houston. with her Husband and my 5 grand-littles. I grew up in Beaumont, so I know Houston well, I will be sure to keep in touch and update you on my journey. I may need some advice in the future, or just motivation. Thank You so much for reaching out, I was hoping to connect with someone in the community. I really appreciate it. 💜

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×