Does anyone know how long the effects of alcohol stay in your blood stream after gastric bypass? I can't remember and I am going out for an after work drink next week with some co-workers and wondering how long I should wait to drive. I know that normally it is a drink an hour, but not sure if that is the same after surgery. I am 8.5 months out and will probably drink a glass of wine which I have tried and can tolerate fine.

I am going to answer my own question.....I found a medical study that was done and they drank 5oz of wine and on average it took 108 minutes for the alcohol to leave the blood stream, but it also said it really matters if you are drinking on an empty stomach and within the 1st year after surgery which both can mean it will take even longer to leave your blood stream. The 108 minute average was based on both male and female who were over a year postop. It can also greatly affect your blood sugars if you are not used to it or drink a lot.

After reading the article I have decided that since I do not have a ride, I am not going to risk it and I will just order something without alcohol and enjoy the conversation instead

The hospital I had my surgery just had a support group meeting talking about alcohol and they basically said what you said, if you are going to have a drink, don't drive. They said because we are bypass the rule changes from one drink an hour to one drink every 2 hours and even if you don't feel drunk it stays in your blood stream so if you get pulled over you will probably blow high enough to get a DUI. They also told a story about a woman who had a drink, thought she was fine and killed a pedestrian, so definitely not worth the risk! I know you already answered your question but just wanted to re-affirm for you!

I have only felt comfortable drinking when someone else was driving. It hits me so fast and I was too scared to hurt someone if I choose to drive.