I'll fess up...I enjoy a cocktail or two (sometimes up to 4) a couple of nights a week...whether mimosas at brunch or a trip to one of Denver's many breweries. I know I am going to have to give up bubbles...so no beer or bubbly which I am just fine with. I also am prepared to give up alcohol for several months prior to an after surgery. However, I just got off the phone with my sister who is coming up for a visit this summer and one of the things she and her husband are looking forward to are brewery tours and festivals that will, of course, involve alcohol.

I know I will have to be careful about how much I drink as it will effect me quicker than before and with less (I'm thinking similar to moving to altitude). I also know that most drinks are empty calories that can and will lead to weight gain if you over indulge.

My question for you wonderful post-oppers is how many of you gave up all alcohol for 18 months as many Surgeons recommend? And if you didn't what was the result? Am I going to be the designated DD for the next two years?

I am 3.5 months out, and I enjoyed my wine every day! Like you, at least 2 glasses, usually more. I have not had a drop of alcohol since Sept. 25, 2013, the day of my surgery. Do I miss it? Yes, like hell. But I am not going to jepordize my future. I have worked too hard at this to fail because of alcohol. And yes, I am now the DD in most occasions. You honestly get used to it. Just like with not eating cake, you don't drink alcohol. It's just not worth it. And plus, the bonus is, I wake up feeling great!

I didn't..........I think I had my first cocktails (s) around 5 weeks actually. Many are different and I think the main reason they say not to drink is because some replace food with alcohol. I could be wrong who knows. Once I was no longer tender or sore when moving I was comfortable with drinking a few with friends for a Christmas Party. However, make sure you do not try to overdo it and dance like a mad women or anything. For me the reason I didn't drink sooner was so I didn't get clumsy. Good luck..

It's not just empty calories...

http://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/arh21-1/76.pdf

This publication does talk a lot about long term effects in alcoholics, but there are also some key findings pertaining to acute alcohol consumption that affect us sleevers. Everything from esophagus and gastric motility (resulting in reflux) to damaging the lining of the stomach and intestines.

Believe me, I am not anti-alcohol and loved my evening cocktails. I could binge drink with the best of them! I have no doubt alcohol has played a part in my weight gain prior to surgery. But at this point I am going to be on the wagon for a very long time to help protect my health and surgical investment.

I'll fess up...I enjoy a cocktail or two (sometimes up to 4) a couple of nights a week...whether mimosas at brunch or a trip to one of Denver's many breweries. I know I am going to have to give up bubbles...so no beer or bubbly which I am just fine with. I also am prepared to give up alcohol for several months prior to an after surgery. However, I just got off the phone with my sister who is coming up for a visit this summer and one of the things she and her husband are looking forward to are brewery tours and festivals that will, of course, involve alcohol. I know I will have to be careful about how much I drink as it will effect me quicker than before and with less (I'm thinking similar to moving to altitude). I also know that most drinks are empty calories that can and will lead to weight gain if you over indulge. My question for you wonderful post-oppers is how many of you gave up all alcohol for 18 months as many Surgeons recommend? And if you didn't what was the result? Am I going to be the designated DD for the next two years?

18 months???? That's a new one for me. My surgeon recommended I avoid alcohol for six weeks post surgery. I regularly enjoy a wine with dinner and will very occasionally have cocktails that don't involve overly carbonated mixers. I can't drink beer at all, though I can drink champagne/ methode traditionelle.

I am twenty months post OP. I do not find I have any issues with effect from alcohol. It effects me the same as it did pre OP.

Edited January 11, 201412 yr by LouiseC

Thanks Y'all!

My doctor recommended not drinking until your weight had stabilized because alcohol supposedly effects sleevers more intensely. The woman who did my psych eval. did say that if I chose to drink prior to make sure I had someone I trusted with me the first few times to make sure I didn't get too loopy.

For now, i will probably play it by ear...I definitely don't want to sabotage hard work...but also want to continue to live my life as normally as possible after surgery.

(My social worker also said I "think too much"...so I should probably go with the flow on this one a bit

My doctor said at my one month appointment that I could reintroduce, but highly recommended a one drink maximum. Like Louise above I do not see a real difference in how it affects me. I follow that guideline for the most part. I need more water in my diet anyway, so usually I will have my one a few times a week and follow it up with a huge glass of water or crystal light.

In fairness, the first few times I had a drink post OP, it did take effect quicker than before and I really felt it. The first glass of wine didn't even get finished. But within a couple of months it really is just like pre OP.

My surgeon's recommendations were to avoid alcohol for one year but I knew I wasn't likely to do that. I think I had a few sips of wine at about 3 months pot-op and now I like an occasional glass of wine with dinner. Haven't had anything stronger except for a hot toddy when I was sick and eggnog at Christmas. I have also had beer a few times (gasp!) and I found it affected me much more quickly than wine, probably the carbonation. I have to drink it slowly. It's sort like eating something, makes me feel full for while.