Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Recommended Posts

This isn't a deal breaker for me but I would like to know if any sleevers have an occasional drink and how their body reacted.

My Doctor recommends to never drink again.. Anyone else?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Same but I have friends who have had it done and occasionally they enjoy a nice beverage. However they get tipsy much faster and it goes away faster. Once u get healthy I'm sure u won't want to drink much, plus alcohol puts weight on

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N900A using Tapatalk

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

You can drink again, but definitely need to scale back and make it only a special occasion thing really.

Be aware that most alcohol has high carbs and/or sugar, so moderation is key.

And with a tiny stomach, alcohol may hit you much harder, so one drink may knock you on your butt. I love this aspect, as I love saving money on drinks. :)

Oh! And proceed with caution in general with drinking. It has been known for people that have food addictions to move to other addictions (like alcohol or drugs or sex or shopping) after having weight loss surgery - so monitor your drinking very carefully and make sure to get help if it starts becoming an issue.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

My surgeon said to wait a year before having alcohol again. I'm not a big drinker so this isn't a big deal. I think they are worried about cross addiction and drinking your calories.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I enjoy alcohol when I go out on weekends.

I'm 4 months and my surgeon is okay with it.

I used to be a big beer lover. More accurately....i was just BIG....and loved beer. lol.

Now, I drink high grade liqueurs with low calorie mixers. I try to avoid anything carbonated. If I'm mixing something at the house, then I"ll use a really good vodka or tequila mixed with Ocean Spray Diet Cranberry (5 calories per serving) over ice. Smooth and tasty.

Prior to surgery when I'd go out....I didn't do well with nursing a beer....it was normally 6-8 beers with some tequila shooters over the course of an evening. Watching a football game at a sports bar.....more than that.

Now....a couple of those "skinny" liquor drinks and I'm good to go.

I had this surgery to improve my health....and quickly. I'd have agreed to anything.....any terms or conditions in order to do that.

What happened over the course of these 4 months post-op, though, has been much more than simply my health being improved.....but my state of mind as well. I truly enjoy every aspect of life in ways that I'd just forgotten about.

Going out and having fun with others.......or just lone-wolfing it and flirting with a hot bartender or two.....fun stuff that helps in many ways. It's almost therapeutic.

If having a few occasional drinks is fun......then so be it. I didn't have this surgery to live like a monk. I did it to feel better......and feel better, I shall.

Hell.....two weeks ago....one of the gals on the surgeon's staff...who was a tremendous help with me getting throughout my pre & post op.....met me for a couple pitchers of skinny margaritas. We had a blast and were able to laugh about all the crazy stuff related to my case and then with her job. Fun stuff. I seriously doubt she would've bought the second pitcher had she been worried about it hurting me.......thusly, I consider it part of my ongoing care when we do it again. :P

All things in moderation...........

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I am 8 months out and I have 1/2 cup (measured) wine about two evenings a week. It is 80 calories and 9 carbs. It definitely relaxes me but no adverse affect.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I plan to have the odd glass of red wine, I've no intention of stopping that. It's all about eating and drinking in moderation like a normal slim person. I don't snack ever, eat sliders foods or drink soda. My culprit that caused weight gain was big big meals and buffets. That's totally out now and never going back, but a glass of wine will be fine.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

My doctor also recommended not drinking anymore, weight loss patients have been known to become dependent upon alcohol because it goes through our system fast. Meaning it hits us fast and then we sometimes feel like we sober up and go again. Which in turn can really harm the body. That being said I am almost four years out and drink socially. I drank almost an entire bottle of wine last night! The biggest thing is make sure you are getting your nutrients first before alcohol. Also start with liquor beer is carbonated and fills you up (not fun). Keep in mind it will hit you fast!!!!!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Same but I have friends who have had it done and occasionally they enjoy a nice beverage. However they get tipsy much faster and it goes away faster. Once u get healthy I'm sure u won't want to drink much, plus alcohol puts weight on

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N900A using Tapatalk

^^^ Yes, this exactly. I waited until 9 months out to make sure I was fully healed. Now I indulge only occasionally as I like fitting into my clothes and it's not worth the bloating!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

You can search my posts and comments for lotsa info, support, and hostility on this subject.

While many doctors have cited health benefits from moderate alcohol consumption, I don't think it has any real medical value. That said, I find it quite enjoyable.

Many programs say:

- Never drink

- Wait a year

- Wait 6 months

- Wait 3 months

- Wait 6 weeks

- Nothing on the subject

My surgeon recommended the sleeve (over RNY) for patients who plan to drink. The reason is simple - once you heal (6 weeks), you basically have a normal metabolism - except your stomach is puny.

RNY patients have more plumbing rerouting and thus have a greater chance of developing ulcers, although many RNY patients on this forum report drinking alcohol with no complication.

So, if you drink after VSG, you must follow all the same rules you SHOULD have followed all along:

- Don't drink to drunkeness and/or operate machinery.

- Don't ignore the potentially high calories in some alcoholic beverages (sweet drinks, most beers, etc).

- If you find yourself drinking everyday, watch out!

I would add, if you were a food addict before your VSG, you may be at risk for developing other addictions - including alcohol. That said, I suspect soda, candy, or chips would be a more slippery slope for a former food addict!

As long as you account for your calories, and meet you Water & Protein goals, it's no different than eating whole wheat bread, oatmeal, or sweet potatoes...

I am 2 pounds away from goal and trying to develop more of a maintenance plan. Although I drank most of my life, I seldom drank during the week.

My current thinking is to allow myself a limited number of Yellow and Green days.

Basically, I plan to count my calories and track my steps about 16 days a month. On these days, my calorie intake is limited to 1,000 a 1,200 with no alcohol (Red Days).

I will allow myself 12 Yellow Days a month. On these days, I will allow moderate alcohol consumption, but still track calories and activity. I will limit my calories to 8 times my target weight (about 1,500).

Finally, I will allow myself a couple of Green Days a month where I won't count calories at all.

So far this seems to be working well, stay tuned...

Edited by Cape Crooner

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I have had alcohol maybe 4 times since sugery. My tolerence is the same. When my weight gets lower that might change, but i am not in the liquor hits me fast camp.

If you have your mental issues worked out before surgery, you shouldn't have to worry much about transfer addictions.

This is a lifestyle, not a diet banning things forever is unrealisitic and makes them too tempting to people.

My plan was alcohol allowed after 3 months.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I have two friends who had the sleeve and still drink. They both say they would have lost the weight much faster if they didn't drink. They both look fabulous though :) I don't drink much so I don't think it will be an issue. I think most docs worry about trading one addiction for another or how it will affect your organs.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Thanks everyone! I am not a big drinker at all but I enjoy a glass of wine now and then. I have a wedding that I'm in coming up and I want some champagne! I also don't plan on living like a monk and want to enjoy life without restrictions ... At the end of the day it's all about balance I think... Thanks for all the feedback

Edited by nervousnelly719

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

My surgeon / his team have never said, "No alcohol after WLS."

Their program, however, includes information about the possibility of WLS patients developing cross addictions post-op.

I see a tendency on WLS boards for participants to interpret "possibilities" as "probabilities" or, worse, "100% likelihoods." This applies to discussions about cross-addictions, post-op divorces, post-op complications, and weight loss success/failure predictions.

My take on the "alcohol post-op" debate is that we should be observant / mindful about how alcohol affects us. We all recognize that alcohol may (or may not) have negative effects on our health post-op, including: alcoholism, liver damage, ulcers, GERD, lowering of inhibitions against eating, etc.

If you wish to avoid any possibility of any kind of damage from alcohol use, then you can decide not to drink.

For myself, I've chosen instead the mindful / observant route. Since Month 6 I've been drinking wine. I drink no more than one 5-6 ounce glass of wine per day and no more than 7 glasses a week, which keeps me in the "social drinker" category -- in which there are no perceived risks. I really enjoy wine, especially with food, but also don't want to wash down my meals with liquids. So I stretch out my wine over a couple of hours before, during and after dinner. Honestly, most nights I don't even finish the glass.

And now at 18 months post-op, I'm happily and easily maintaining my 100-pound weight loss at 135 pounds.

That's just one woman's story. Things could change for me, e.g., GERD could get worse, I'd start gaining weight, I could start drinking more, in which case I would have to re-evaluate the upside/downside of my alcohol intake.

I just see this as one small aspect of living in Wearing Big Person Panties World. :)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • Prdgrdma

      So I guess after gastric bypass surgery, I cant eat flock chips because they are fried???  They sell them on here so I thought I could have them. So high in protein and no carbs.  They don't bother me at all.  Help. 
      · 1 reply
      1. NickelChip

        It's possible for a very high fat meal to cause dumping in some (30% or so) gastric bypass patients, although it's more likely to be triggered by high sugar, or by the high fat/high sugar combo (think ice cream, donuts). Dietitians will tell you to never do anything that isn't 100% healthy ever again. Realistically, you should aim for a good balance of protein, carbs, and fat each day. Should you eat fried foods every day? No. Is it possible they will make you sick? Maybe. Is it okay to eat some to see what happens and have them for a treat every now and again? Yes.

    • NovelTee

      I'm not at all hungry on this liquid pre-op diet, but I miss the sensation of chewing. It's been about two weeks––surgery is in two days––and I can't imagine how I'll feel a couple of weeks post-op. Tonight, I randomly stumbled upon a mukbang channel on YouTube, and it was strangely soothing... is it just me, or is this a thing? 
      · 1 reply
      1. NickelChip

        I actually watched cooking shows during my pre-op, like Great British Baking Show. It was a little bizarre, but didn't make me hungry. I think it was also soothing in a way.

    • Clueless_girl

      How do you figure out what your ideal weight should be? I've had a figure in my head for years, but after 3 mths of recovery I'm already almost there. So maybe my goal should be lower?
      · 3 replies
      1. NickelChip

        Well, there is actually a formula for "Ideal Body Weight" and you can use a calculator to figure it out for you. This one also does an adjusted weight for a person who starts out overweight or obese. https://www.mdcalc.com/calc/68/ideal-body-weight-adjusted-body-weight

        I would use that as a starting point, and then just see how you feel as you lose. How you look and feel is more important than a number.

      2. Clueless_girl

        I did find different calculators but I couldn't find any that accounted for body frame. But you're right, it is just a number. It was just disheartening to see that although I lost 60% of my excess weight, it's still not in the "normal/healthy" range..

      3. NickelChip

        I think it's important to remember that the weight charts and BMI ranges were developed a very long time ago and only intended to be applied to people who have never been overweight or obese. Those numbers aren't for us. When you are larger, especially for a long time, your body develops extra bone to support the weight. Your organs get a little bigger to handle the extra mass. Your entire infrastructure increases so you can support and function with the extra weight. That doesn't all go away just because you burn off the excess fat. If you still had a pair of jeans from your skinniest point in life and then lost weight to get to the exact number on the scale you were when those jeans fit you, chances are they would be a little baggy now because you would actually be thinner than you were, even though the scale and the BMI chart disagree. When in doubt, listen to the jeans, not the scale!

    • Aunty Mamo

      Tomorrow marks two weeks since surgery day and while I'm feeling remarkably well and going about just about every normal activity, I did wind up with a surface abscess on on of my incision sights and was put on an antibiotic that made me so impacted that it took me more than two hours to eliminate yesterday and scared the hell out of me. Now there's Miralax in all my beverages that aren't Smooth Move tea. I cannot experience that again. I shouldn't have to take Ativan to go to the lady's. I really looking forward to my body getting with the program again. 
      I'm in day three of the "puree" stage of eating and despite the strange textures, all of the savory flavors seem decadent. 
      I timed this surgery so that I'd be recovering during my spring break. That was a good plan. Today is a state holiday and the final day of break. I feel really strong to return to school tomorrow. 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BeanitoDiego

      Now that I'm in maintenance mode, I'm getting a into a routine for my meals. Every day, I start out with 8-16 ounces of water, and then a proffee, which I have come to look forward to even the night before. My proffees are simply a black coffee with a protein powder added. There are three products that I cycle through: Premier Vanilla, Orgain Vanilla, and Dymatize Vanilla.
      For second breakfast on workdays, I will have a low-fat yogurt with two tablespoons of PBFit and two teaspoons of no sugar added dried cherries. I will have ingested 35-45 grams of protein at this point between the two breakfasts, with 250-285 calories, and about 20 carbs.
      For second breakfast on non-workdays, I will prepare two servings of plain, instant oatmeal with a tablespoon of an olive oil-based spread. This means I will have had 34 grams of protein, 365 calories, and 38 carbs. Non-workdays are when I am being very active with training sessions, so I allow myself more carbohydrate fuel.
      Snacks on any day are always mixed nuts, even when I am travelling. I will have 0.2 cups of a blend that I make myself. It consists of dry roasted peanuts, cashews, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, pistachios, and Brazil nuts. This is 5 grams of protein, 163 calories, and 7 carbs.
      Breakfast and snacks have been the easiest to nail down. Lunch and dinner have more variables, and I prepare enough for leftovers. I concentrate on protein first, and then add vegetables. Typically tempeh, tofu, or Field Roast products with roasted or sautéed vegetables. Today, I will be eating leftovers from last night. Two ounces of tempeh with four ounces of roasted vegetables that consist of red and yellow sweet peppers, sweet potatoes, small purple potatoes, zucchini, and carrots. I will add a tablespoon of olive oil-based spread, break up 3 walnuts to sprinkle of top, and garnish with two tablespoons of grated Parmesan cheese. This particular meal will be 19 grams of protein, 377 calories, and 28 grams of carbs. Bear in mind that I do eat more carbs when I am not working, and I focus on ingesting healthy carbs instead of breads/crackers/chips/crisps.
      It's a helluva journey and I'm thankful to be on it!
       
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×