Alcohol and Sleevers

[akusah 67]

I am scheduled for Oct. 22. I have seen some information on television that alcohol dependency increases with people who have weight loss surgery. Are folks allowed to drink after surgery? What is the effect of alcohol post surgery?

[Mammecan 43]

When I was going to my classes, we talked about this..I was told, 1 oz of alcohol could have you falling down drunk (cheap date)..there is nothing in your belly...also, you could get a little depressed & you may starting like the booze alot more than ever..when I have my cocktails now, I drink "Sombreo" with milk..don't think I'll be drinking those after my surgery...way to fattening & sugar...

[BlueClementine 70]

My doc said not for the first six months, and then only occasionally. Like a glass of wine or two tops. There is a lot is talk about people being sleeved becoming addicted to other vices since food is kind of off the table, if you search cross over addictions you'll find plenty of threads that discuss this.

[Roo101769 742]

I am still pre op but from all I have read from those already sleeved ( and my own online research) alcohol should be avoided. First of all, it is empty calories. Second, your absorption rate has been significantly changed, so a very small amount can have a much more intoxicating effect. Basically, you become a cheap drunk. LOL I do understand many people who have WLS swap addictions. They are not mentally able to conquer the demons that caused their overeating, but now they cannot physically overeat. Or they may just have addictive personalities.. Either way they move on to other addictions, be it drinking or gambling or even sexual addiction. That is what the pre op psych evaluation is supposed to determine, if you are ready mentally to be successful. But many of these evaluations are done too quickly and not thorough at all, so I think a lot of folks slip through that would benefit from additional counseling.

[Pookeyism 1,143]

The effect is a whole lot of excess calories, and a drug that is a depressant and like you said, drinkers are more likely to become dependant now.

[adargie 159]

I feel that if you know what moderation is then this will also apply to alcohol. I have indulged twice now and am a social drinker, nothing crazy(I hate headaches). I have realized that it does not take much and I make sure I am never driving. I can have 2 drinks and I nurse them, usually crystal light and vodka, I don't do soda anymore. This is also personal choice, and I make sure to make up for it in my caloric intake. Just have to make smart decisions. But I have read about how addiction can crossover.

[Sassygirl06 962]

I am two years post op. I will be very honest here. For a while (about 6 months)...I was drinking a lot. It was easy for me to drink away my feelings. I was addicted to food. It was involved in everything I did. When I woke up in the morning I thought about food, when I was eating my Breakfast I was wondering what was going to be for lunch....and so on. With the sleeve I was no longer able to eat away my feelings, but a few shots could fit easily, and it numbed me. I was partying a lot. When my oldest daughter said something to me about my drinking to much it hit me hard. I realized that I needed to get myself in check. So I started addressing it in therapy. I am one of the lucky ones who saw there was a potential for an addiction, and so I did something about it. So yes, it is very easy for sleevers to get a cross over addiction. I caution all sleevers to take this very seriously. Drinking on special occasions can be done, but I highly recommend being very careful not to indulge past that. Good luck!

[PGee 318]

I was told the occasional drink would be okay (how long after surgery, I don't know)

At my psych eval, it was mentioned some WLS patients transfer their food addiction to alcohol, and some become alcoholics.

Drinking wasn't a big part of my lifestyle before surgery (literally a few drinks per year).....so just like soda had to go post op, I decided alcohol will not be a part of my sleeved lifestyle either....good luck!

[ccm2n 28]

I drink a few glasses of wine every now and then. I haven't had any issues with it.

[FRED1977 186]

I have a couple of drinks on the weekend no problems,anymore than that I would be in a coma. I add plenty of ice to my drinks and feel great. I would never want to drink everyday and after being sleeved I couldn't handle it. No way I will be messing up any of my hard work I have achieved thus far. Just pace yourself and take it slow.

[DanaMomto3 145]

I an 7.5 months post op. I am drinking wine as I respond. I was told to wait 1 month before I drank alcohol. I drink wine 5 nights a week, I always have. I drink a glass or 2 of white. I have lost 99lbs in 7 months. I am 14 lbs from goal.

[Txcowgurl 44]

I feel that if you know what moderation is then this will also apply to alcohol. I have indulged twice now and am a social drinker' date=' nothing crazy(I hate headaches). I have realized that it does not take much and I make sure I am never driving. I can have 2 drinks and I nurse them, usually crystal light and vodka, I don't do soda anymore. This is also personal choice, and I make sure to make up for it in my caloric intake. Just have to make smart decisions. But I have read about how addiction can crossover.[/quote']

I also use crystal light with my vodka drinks and for me it's all about moderation... I use pink lemonade and fruit punch.. Umm umm.. Lol

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[Txcowgurl 44]

I an 7.5 months post op. I am drinking wine as I respond. I was told to wait 1 month before I drank alcohol. I drink wine 5 nights a week' date=' I always have. I drink a glass or 2 of white. I have lost 99lbs in 7 months. I am 14 lbs from goal.[/quote']

Way to go hunn!!!

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[Aaronmadeit 361]

Yeah I have to agree addiction is dependent on the person I think I mean yeah 1 margarita and I'm feeling it 2 and I'm ready for bed time . But for the empty calorie thing I just run an extra mile day after I drink to make up for a fun time, as of right now I drink every fri or sat no problems and I'm down 163 since starting the surgery and 116 since surgery (12-26-12)

[marfar7 1,532]

My nurse went over new addictions in our pre op class. She said her husband asked her why she got a new shopping addiciton, instead of a sex addiction.

My dr recommends at least 8 wks and then only occasionally non carbonated beverages. While I have read that I may become more tipsy, I had about 3 oz of red wine at 7 wks and it didn't affect me at all. Was too scared to push it.

Whatever ur dr recommends...