Hello Everyone,

I am 7 weeks post op. My surgen said wait 6 weeks before any alchohol.

I have had a few mixed drinks, Mike's lemonades, wine coolers with no problems. About a week ago I had a drink of my girlfriends beer and it almost had me on the floor in pain. I'm guessing in was the carbonation. Has anyone else has this problem with beer or how long should it be until we can have carbonated liquids.

I don't think it is nonsense. I think the reason why any data has come out is based on the fact that the lapband and gastric bypass have been around longer. There is very little data about the long term affects of the sleeve since it is still very new as a means of WLS. Hence why most of the articles are revering to the gastric bypass. However, it is an interesting correlation since many on this site alone have expressed a new found addiction to shopping. And there have been studies about people going from alcoholism to other things, so the argument can be reasonably made to suggest why not WLS too. We have addictions to food, why can there be no transference.

All and all, I agree with IrishEyes that they were merely trying to share information with fellow Sleevers and give food for thought (pardon the pun). I know that it will keep me on guard once I get sleeved since alcoholism does run in my family. So I, for one, say thank you.

One could also argue the reason that these studies seem to center around gastric bypass patients is because gastric bypass has been around for years and in terms of studies regarding any weight loss surgery, most of the studies are on gastric bypass. The sleeve is a relatively new surgery in comparison, we still don't even have many studies available to us on the long-term effects of the gastric sleeve.

Personally, I know alcohol has a much greater effect on me now than it did before my surgery. I also believe that based on initial recent findings, it is wise of surgeons and nutritionists to advise their patients of the possible risks regarding alcohol to any and all bariatric patients, regardless of surgery type. I wouldn't use the excuse of a lack of published studies specifically on gastric sleeve patients as a pass to go ahead and drink too much alcohol.

Everything in moderation, my friends, everything in moderation. Be aware of what you put in your body and how your body responds. Over-indulgence is never a good practice.

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People have misunderstood me. I do not dispute that alcohol should be approached with caution post WLS, particlularly for those who were addicted to anything prior to surgery

My issue is with a professional making a claim as though it is fact, and citing statistics based on estimates and opinions rather than on research. It is professionally irresponsible to do so.

I am sorry to have not been clear in my earlier posts. I do tend to react strongly when people use artificial statistics and unfounded theories to scaremonger.

FYI - my surgeon and my NUT recommended wine in moderation as part of a normal and healthy diet.

addiction transference happens. It does. However, it really depends on whether or not people deal with their addiction or if they just go through the motions of the surgery.

I was drinking soda and beer 3mo out. I have no problem at all with carbonation. I'm losing about 10 lbs per month so it hasn't affected my weight loss.

***** UPDATE *****

9 weeks out and 45lbs down.

DRAFT BEER = I can drink it fine. I get full quick on it but no pain.

I maintain my earlier opinion of nonsense. The small study you link indicates that out of 2000 bariatric patients' date=' 7% showed alcohol addiction risk pre surgery and 10% showed alcohol addiction risk post surgery. That indicates a potential risk of 3% NOT the "30% of sleeve patients develop cross over addictions" that you said your NUT told you.

There has been NO comprehensive research into cross over addiction post VSG. I consider any professional who spouts random statistics like your NUT did to be unprofessional scaremongerers.

In addition, the study focuses on bypass patients who metabolise alcohol very different to sleeve patients.[/quote']

I agree...I can drink 2 long islands and feel fine no headache, no weight gain, etc...and I'm 5weeks out

Just FYI Long Islands are loaded with calories. You can Google all sorts of lists to find the highest and lowest calorie drinks, and ways to make drinks with less calories.

Point being is that most of us wont have trouble losing at first. Losing most of the excess and keeping off what is lost after a year or two is the big reason they emphasize changing habits, like counting calories and cutting out excess "unnecessary" calories, like cutting out booze.

I wont live without booze, but I am less likely to drink more than one beer once or twice a month. If I want to get a buzz, which is rarer as I get older, guess I'll have to throw a diet shot or two on top of it.

Just FYI Long Islands are loaded with calories. You can Google all sorts of lists to find the highest and lowest calorie drinks' date=' and ways to make drinks with less calories.

Point being is that most of us wont have trouble losing at first. Losing most of the excess and keeping off what is lost after a year or two is the big reason they emphasize changing habits, like counting calories and cutting out excess "unnecessary" calories, like cutting out booze.

I wont live without booze, but I am less likely to drink more than one beer once or twice a month. If I want to get a buzz, which is rarer as I get older, guess I'll have to throw a diet shot or two on top of it.[/quote']

Yea it's a low callong island $295 call with crystal lite mango tea w/lemon

With all the various "can I eat this" threads on VST, the thing I want to know is: will it hurt my sleeve - i.e. is there is technical reason it can't be eaten/drunk. I'm very aware of empty calories, etc. and the need to control that. If I thought that I could never have a beer again I'd be very very unhappy. If it won't hurt the sleeve, then why not once in a while?

BTW - pre-op I couldn't handle gassy beer anyway. I prefer softly carbonated ales.

I just tried a beer at 3 months out. It was a non-event. I had to drink it slow and I ddn't finish it, but I was able to sit back a happy hour and feel like a normal human being. I am staying in my calorie guiltiness. I think there is a little too much drama around this. I can ruin my diet with excessive alcohol, or with Cookies. I don't plan to do either.

So far beer does not appear to be an evil, sleeve-exploding devil-beverage.

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