Before I even signed up for an orientation, I checked out forums like this to make sure VSG was right for me. I have always been an Atkins oriented eater, so the whole protein first thing wasn't a problem. I am a social drinker (weekends only -- no high calorie drinks) and observed that most VSG veterans who were drinkers before the surgery seem to do so without problems after.

I also listened closely to my surgeon during orientation who clearly stated that one of the big differences between the VSG and RNY was that that the recommended no one ever drink alcohol after RNY; okay in moderation with VSG.

I also found that most threads on the topic of alcohol are full of people who didn't drink castigating people who did, which tended to distort the true information exchange, so before I get tp the questions, I humbly request that people who never drank, or gave it up since their surgery feel free to troll, but please don't comment -- I'm only interested in first hand factual responses!

QUESTIONS:

1. How long did you go before having your first drink?

2. Have you had any MEDICAL complications with your surgery that were attributed to drinking alcohol?

3. Have you gained back significant weight from drinking alcohol?

4. Have you developed an alcohol addiction post VSG after having been able to control your drinking before?

As I said, I have read all the guidelines and see questions 2, 3, and 4 listed as "risks of drinking alcohol". At the same time, I see lots of comments from people who have returned to drinking post-opt with no complications, weight gain, or sudden addiction.

By the way, I have also read all the "doctor's orders" and have found total inconsistency (ranging from never drink again to a month or two). My own program doesn't even have a consistent answer, which is why I'm asking for real stories...

Thanks!

3 months.

No.

No.

No.

3 months.

No.

No.

No.

Thanks LL, exactly what I was looking for...

Have your drinking habits changed post-opt?

No.

3 months

No

No

No

I actually had a weekend at the beach last weekend and found that I still really enjoy a cold beer. At most, I can only tolerate 2 and then have to wait a bit. If anything, the sleeve makes it impossible for me to get drunk. Over the course of 6 hours, I think I might have had 5 beers. Never felt any discomfort, just full. Makes it very difficult to get protein, etc. in, so it will remain a every couple of months type of thing.

QUESTIONS:

1. How long did you go before having your first drink?

I had my first drink about 15 days post surgery (had like 3 sips of some cheap champagne for New Years)

2. Have you had any MEDICAL complications with your surgery that were attributed to drinking alcohol?

None that I can think of.

3. Have you gained back significant weight from drinking alcohol?

No I haven't gained any weight back from drinking alcohol. However I don't drink often either.

4. Have you developed an alcohol addiction post VSG after having been able to control your drinking before?

No. Before the surgery I was very much a social drinking. Going out for drinks at least twice to three times a month. Now I may have a drink once every few months (and by a drink I mean I am a one and done guy now). It hasn't been a year yet out of surgery for me, and I have had a drink of alcohol probably 4 times since the surgery. And the affects are the same every time. I get buzzed/high very quickly off of one drink. It last maybe 10 -15 minutes after I have stopped drinking said drink. I usually wait 20 to 30 minutes after the buzzing affects before I drive home, if I am out with friends just to make sure all the affects have past.

Because I don't like that it gets me buzzed/high so freaking quickly and I prefer to have my wits about me when I am out in public I tend to limit or don't drink alcohol while out in public. If I am at home or a friends I may drink more than a drink, but honestly I haven't done that yet. With a giant bottle of Tullamore Dew Irish Whiskey in my fridge that I brought a few months before I even agreed to have the surgery I can still say is still in my fridge. full as can be.

1. How long did you go before having your first drink?

I had a couple of sips 2 months post-op for a toast. But my first real drinking (wine) happened at 6 months post-op. Went to New Orleans and drank 6 ounces of wine for 3 days. Since then I've drunk 4-6 ounces of wine 4-5 evenings a week. Sometimes instead of wine I'll have a 1.5 ounce shot of single malt scotch.

2. Have you had any MEDICAL complications with your surgery that were attributed to drinking alcohol?

Nope.

3. Have you gained back significant weight from drinking alcohol?

Nope.

4. Have you developed an alcohol addiction post VSG after having been able to control your drinking before?

Nope. My bariatric P.A. calls me a social drinker (women have no more than 7 drinks a week). See http://alcoholrehab.com/alcoholism/social-drinking-defined/

5. Have your drinking habits changed post-opt?

Nope - I drink now just as I did before WLS.

3 months

No

No

No

I actually had a weekend at the beach last weekend and found that I still really enjoy a cold beer. At most, I can only tolerate 2 and then have to wait a bit. If anything, the sleeve makes it impossible for me to get drunk. Over the course of 6 hours, I think I might have had 5 beers. Never felt any discomfort, just full. Makes it very difficult to get Protein, etc. in, so it will remain a every couple of months type of thing.

I'm only a few weeks out and not planning about having a drink anytime soon. I could never drink much beer and being an Atkins guy, I always limited the carbs. My drinks of choice were bourbon and Water or vodka soda. I'll probably go red wine for a while.

I'm just bored and projecting my new lifestyle to help me pass the time. I am thinking that on "drink days", I'll make extra certain to count calories and make sure I get 70 grams of protein before I have anything to drink.

My fitness tracker says I'm burning 3500 calories a day and a glass of wine is 125 calories, so I don't think it will be a "ruin my diet with empty calories" thing...

Thanks!

QUESTIONS:

1. How long did you go before having your first drink?

2. Have you had any MEDICAL complications with your surgery that were attributed to drinking alcohol?

3. Have you gained back significant weight from drinking alcohol?

4. Have you developed an alcohol addiction post VSG after having been able to control your drinking before?

1. 5 months

2. No

3. No

4. No

I drink only occasionally .... mostly only on special occasions now. I drink only wine, but have tired a few other things and wine is the only drink I can stomach the taste of now.

1. How long did you go before having your first drink? - 6 mths

2. Have you had any MEDICAL complications with your surgery that were attributed to drinking alcohol? NO

3. Have you gained back significant weight from drinking alcohol? NO

4. Have you developed an alcohol addiction post VSG after having been able to control your drinking before? NO

I am a social drinker, but it really depends on when the mood hits. My first drink post-op was at a wine tasting. I had a drink over the summer at a get away weekend with friends. Since the new tv season has started I have a glass of wine on Thursday nights. I mostly drink wine, but occasionally also have beer or vodka.

QUESTIONS:

1. How long did you go before having your first drink?

7 weeks post surgery. I had 1 glass (6 oz) at one of my best friends wedding last weekend. Then another 6 oz later at the hotel afterwards. Nothing since. I used to drink a couple glasses of wine on the weekends, maybe a couple beers in a month. Not touching beer or anything carbonated until I am much closer to goal...or maybe longer...don't know...I don't really have any immediate desire to do so.

2. Have you had any MEDICAL complications with your surgery that were attributed to drinking alcohol?

None

3. Have you gained back significant weight from drinking alcohol?

No

4. Have you developed an alcohol addiction post VSG after having been able to control your drinking before?

1. First drink at 13 months post op

2. No

3. No

4. No

6 moths...no to everything. I RARELY drink. I like fruity drinks so I can't do all the calories. Only on special occasions and it's not near as "fun" as it once was.

6 moths...no to everything. I RARELY drink. I like fruity drinks so I can't do all the calories. Only on special occasions and it's not near as "fun" as it once was.

I was never a fruity drink kinda guy; a couple of margaritas a year and maybe Mai Tai's when I was in Hawaii. That said, i'm growing fond of Chrystal Light and thinking maybe one of the fruit versions with white rum or lemonade with tequila...

1. How long did you go before having your first drink?

Three weeks- I had a few sips of champagne at a dinner to be polite. After that, probably about 8 months until I had a tequila night.

2. Have you had any MEDICAL complications with your surgery that were attributed to drinking alcohol?

Nope

3. Have you gained back significant weight from drinking alcohol?

Nope

4. Have you developed an alcohol addiction post VSG after having been able to control your drinking before?

Nope..I developed a shopping addiction, lol.

I waited two months and I didn't detect any difference in how I metabolized liquor. I felt like I got less of a buzz after surgery which seems to differ from most other people on this forum. There really isn't a lot of room for beer so I can only have a few ounces anyway. For now, I'd rather get my calories and carbs from food and that's just my preference. I just don't seem to enjoy alcohol as much I used to. In the past I could drink a whole bottle of champagne by myself . . Good times lol.