2 weeks post op and I jut want to know if I will ever have another glass of merlot?

I've been having an occasional glass of wine since about 2 months post op, I've had no issues, still haven't tried beer yet. Take it slow and easy as you re-introduce foods and drinks.

That's good news to hear. I hope to at least have a Jameson and ginger for st paddys in a few months. Now I think about it...it's going to be Jameson and hold the ginger beer.

My surgeon asks that you not consume alcohol for the first year. I think some of it is that it is high in calories/sugar, and metabolizes differently with a smaller stomach. Also, there is research that is showing an increase in alcohol dependence after gastric surgery (cross addiction and liquids go through really easy :-). Not to say this would happen to you but something to certainly be aware of. I am actually an alcohol and drug counselor and have seen a number of clients recently who never had a problem with alcohol pre- surgery and now find themselves having problems. I know for me, genetics and now sleeved I'm not sure I want to take the chance anymore. So if you decide to have a glass....have one for me :-)

Yes. At least I can. I'm 4 months out.

What was everyone's first drink and how did you handle it?

I can but it gives me horrific heartburn so I don't.

Glass of white wine 4 months postop. No problems and (unfortunately) didn't hit me hard like everyone else seems to report. Bloody Mary about a month later and couldn't finish it cause it was too acidic. Then went with a Mint julep (Kentucky Derby party) but it was way too sweet. Tried Mike's Hard Lemonade and it was too carbonated. But thumbs up for vodka/cranberry, Crown and Water, vodka/lemonade, White Russian, and straight Amarula. I miss a good Jack and Coke, but can't do the carbonation.

I have no problem with 1 or 2 drinks, but if I drink more than that or more than 2 days in a row, I get gastritis.

Edited January 26, 201511 yr by Kindle

I use to drink A LOT of red wine! The drier the better! Now it's white wine. Sometimes it is easy to drink, sometimes I can't finish half a glass. Unfortunately I have no issues with vodka.....

Prosecco, 50 cals/glass.

Yes I know it's carbonated but it doesn't seem to bother me and the bubbles dissipate quickly enough.

I drink the occasional glass of white wine. Can't handle any alcohol with carbonation.

I had my first drink about three months out. Red wine doesn't agree with me but I can do mixed drinks and white wine fine. I don't like beer so I have no idea about it. Sorry!

The main reason the alcohol is limited in some fashion post-op is because there is an alarmingly high rate of alcoholism in post-bariatric patients. This is likely caused by something known as addiction transfer, where one addiction (food) gets swapped for another (alcohol). The first 2 months post-op are the most dangerous window, so it is common for surgeons to forbid alcohol during that time period, though some ban it for much longer. I had my first drink at 8 weeks post op (this evening actually), and it was a glass of Riesling. I am not likely to experience addiction transfer, because I did not have food addiction prior to my surgery, but my father experienced addiction transfer after his lap-band 12 years ago, becoming a functional alcoholic for ~5 years (fortunately substance addiction does not run in my family).

I advise waiting at least 8 weeks after surgery before drinking, just in case. And my dietician stressed that you have your first drink at home, because you will metabolize alcohol differently with your new stomach - she has had more than one patient embarrass themselves because they got drunk unexpectedly after three sips of wine. (I didn't get drunk, but that glass of Riesling hit me harder than usual!).

Doc told me I can resume wine 6 weeks out. That's Feb 3rd!!! Whoo hoo, well I had 2 drinks this week-end!! SMH just couldn't wait. Upset at myself..... but nothing happened

Check with ur Doc

Doc told me I can resume wine 6 weeks out. That's Feb 3rd!!! Whoo hoo, well I had 2 drinks this week-end!! SMH just couldn't wait. Upset at myself..... but nothing happened

Check with ur Doc

Yeah, I was pretty underwhelmed by respond to the glass of wine. I mean, it affected me more quickly than wine did in the past, there's no way I could have driven a car, but I wasn't dancing-on-the-tables drunk like my dietician acted like I would be. I'm not sure if that's a good thing or a bad thing, but at least I'm a slightly cheaper date.

Yes, I have had wine since month 4. Red wine. One glass every now and then. I was and still am not much of a drinker. It gives me no problem.

Edited January 27, 201511 yr by JCP