What are the the side effects if I drink alcohol? Why was I told I can't drink alcohol, I know beer has too much gas but what about straight tequila or vodka???

when was your surgery ?? mine 9 was 9 months ago.. tried a sip of wine and it went down ok but felt effects quickly. my surgeon said 1 year. My couson who had the surgery drinks a lot of beer now with no problem. he lost a lot maybe 130lbs and he has regained like 30 though.. id stayt away from the empty calories.. is it worth it?

Chris

I had it a month in a half ago. I haven't drank any alcohol but I was curious why I was told not to drink alcohol for life. Thank u:)

They say that the alcohol is empty calories, it can stall weight loss and promote weight gain. I am not a drinker anyway, so I will not miss that one bit, lol.

I think the main reason for being told not to drink are the empty calories. However, there are other reasons. It can affect the delicate lining of your new stomach, you will feel the affects a lot faster and drinking can make you a snacker. God forbid you get a hangover and damage yor new tummy. :/

I personally drink on occasion. I stick to vodka and I use it with Cyrstal Light. I personally like the Cherry Limeaid flavor. On occasion I will have wine and I absolutely stay away from beer.

I had a alcoholic drink for the first after surgery (Dec 18th) last friday (vodka w/cranberry) it went down fine..but the next morning I woke up itching all over my body...looked in the mirror and noticed I had broke out in hives..never in my life had I experienced that...it went away on its own..then it came back around 1am that night..went to the ER..they gave me benadryl and Pepcid. I told the Dr I had drinks..he said there is no telling if that was the cause...so I don't ..but I will stay away from alcohol for now. I have been taking 1 benadryl capsule before going to bed since.

Edited February 23, 201412 yr by meamo

meamo omg!! well, thanks for your answers friends, keep in touch!

I think all of the usual side effects apply. You know the ones like passing out in random places. Or waking up in bed with some random person. You could end up in a fight or possibly even worse in jail. Of course these all depend on what type of party we are looking at here.

On a serious note the only issue I have had is a very low tolerance. Which honestly is not a big deal. It makes me a really cheap date..

It's not that you won't physically be 'able' to drink alcohol. For some, no problem at all. But, re: alcohol:

1) Is empty calories. Plus the alcohol sugars interfere with weight loss;

2) Surgeons feel that people with obesity (especially if due to food addictions) might substitute one addiction for another. That may develop, even without noticing it;

3) With less stomach, etc., the alcohol can go straight through you, you may not grasp how much you're taking in and can potentially get drunk faster (especially women);

4) As someone else said, it can irritate your stomach--what's left of it.

I had wine recently; and 2 weeks ago, I had two sips of a martini. But no more than that. I've yet to have a full regular drink, though the thought of one makes me smile on this Sunday morning. Oh well.

Edited February 23, 201412 yr by Dr-Patient

I'm two months out. I'll admit I've had vodka and crystal light a couple of nights after a bad day at work. But I immediately went to bed after. Woke up the next morning just fine.

I'm 6 months out and drink Mike's hard lemonade occasionally. I don't have any problems, it just takes me longer to drink.

I do not have a date yet for my surgery. I have a trip to Mexico planned with my hubby and we will be there 5 days. If my surgery gets scheduled before my trip it will be less than a month out. Should I wait until I get back to schedule my surgery? We will be back the first week in May and I think that would be the wise thing to do. Im anxious and scared, but I want to get the surgery over with.

Haven't told my husband I was approved for the surgery with insurance. He has no idea I am thinking about doing this. The surgeon was highly recommended by 2 other people that got the sleeve and one got the bypass same surgeon. I'll wait until all the tests are done and I've met my surgeon before sharing with my husband. Turning 60 in Sept. and one of my kids getting married in Nov. Over the past 37 years of marriage my husband has seen my weight waiver between 115 lbs and 190 lbs. I want 60 to be my healthiest birthday and my goal of 120 lbs for my 5'1" frame. Hoping he'll support my decision.

hi pickle... i would recommend you have your surgery at least a couple months before you go, or do it after you return. You'll enjoy yourself a lot more fully healed and feeling good in your clothes at 8 weeks out. Or you'll enjoy indulging one last time before you make this big change. For me personally, I am only 3 weeks out, I feel great, but I see the next few weeks being so revolved around introducing new foods and learning about my new stomach, not something I would want to be doing while on vacation and not able to know what exactly is in my food I'm eating.

Another thing to keep in mind, my Surgeon told me most leaks happen in the 3rd to 6th week post op. He had some theories for this, and though the chance of this happening is low, it does happen to folks and I wouldn't want to be in another country if this were to happen, you could be stuck there for quite a while.

Just seems like a better idea to go before (and make sure your not on the liquid very restrictive pre op diet... that was the hardest for me personally.. post is much easier because you aren't hungry).

Just my two cents because you asked. Good Luck

I am a white wine girl. My NUT said to wIt 4 weeks after surgery for wine. I have been drinking wine since then. No issues.

My doctor's concerns with alcohol are potential bleeding ulcers (in addition to many of the other issues mentioned here). They recommend a year before having any which I see is much longer than many other plans.

I like cocktails, but will hold out for quite a while. But let me add it's because I've had an ulcer in the past, and my father (who could drink quite a bit, doesn't any longer) developed bleeding ulcers and stomach cancer. It resulted in removal of 75% of his stomach so genetics play a big part in my decisions. And he didn't need to lose any significant amount of weight, but ended up getting very small after this.

I figure if you follow you doctor's guidelines and all is well, power to you.

friends really try not to drink alcohol! I'm not going to lie, I was at a party last night and I wanted so badly to take a cold beer! I better take some flat soda! :/. thank you very much everyone for your answers!