Hello all,

I had my gastric sleeve surgery on November 15th. It has been such an adventure. I use to be a big drinker before surgery. I stopped about a month before and didn't have any cravings. Now I'm starting to have a craving for a drink. I know and completely understand it is empty calories and it's not healthy. I'm not looking to be criticized. I want to know when people have had drinks how it went and how soon it was. Thanks all.

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I'm curious about this too for New Years. I was sleeved 11/23. I know if I ask my surgeon he'll say that's too soon.

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Just be aware that some people transfer from food addiction to drinking addiction.

Saying 'I'm only going to have one' can turn into 3, 4 or more, then you get the nibbles and you could make bad food choices. Lots have stated that they have a drink every night, a glass of wine or a spirit but they are mainly in the maintenance phase.

Please, just be careful.

Kate

Be careful indeed, especially if you used to have cravings for it before.

Nonetheless I enjoy a glass of wine or liquor (with a ton of ice), but I try to keep it as occasional as possible.

I was sleeved on February the 25th and had my first glass of alcohol at the end of June when friends from abroad visited and we celebrated, it went down fine.

Edited December 3, 20169 yr by BelgianGuy

Most surgeons say you shouldnt drink for at least 3 months post surgery but recommend waiting a year due to high risk for bleeding ulcers

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I had my sleeve on September 14th and had my first drink about 4 weeks later. I also enjoy an occasional cocktail, and know all about the empty calories so I switched from my regular rum and coke to vodka and diet cranberry juice - which has become my new drink of choice. I still enjoy a cocktail or 2 about once every 10 days or so.

My surgeon had told me that I had to be careful with alcohol because l would be feeling the effects sooner that I expected. I didn't experience that but think it was because I sipped the 2 drinks over a period of 3 hours.

On the benefit side, the alcohol helped my bowels move as I am constantly constipated from all the Protein I am taking in.

I was sleeved 9/7 and was a big wine drinker before. I've tried wine at different points in time but have only been able to tolerate a very little bit. Last night I went for happy hour and had my first entire glass. I was definitely tipsy and it was more than enough to satisfy me. I've given myself the guardrail that I won't keep wine in the house and will only have if I go out or it's a special occasion. I felt this was a good compromise for me.

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I am limiting my alcohol consumption to holidays. Thanksgiving Day, etc. I am not drinking alcohol at football parties, etc. It has to be a "real" official holiday.

Had lapband surgery 10/12/16

Edited December 3, 20169 yr by Treadmillwalker

Just be aware that some people transfer from food addiction to drinking addiction.

Saying 'I'm only going to have one' can turn into 3, 4 or more, then you get the nibbles and you could make bad food choices. Lots have stated that they have a drink every night, a glass of wine or a spirit but they are mainly in the maintenance phase.

Please, just be careful.

Kate

Yes to food addiction being replaced by drinking !! I've seen it first hand in my family. 25+ years of sobriety down the drain. It's definitely put some strain on relationships. Thank you for bringing this up.

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Interesting. Of all the things my doctor and nutritionists stressed, not drinking alcohol ever again, was THE most critical according to them. My clinic team is more on the side of better safe than sorry with most things (they also say no caffeinated coffee ever again), but on the point of alcohol they were very specific. They cited cases of those who had occasional drinks and felt fine but ended up back in the hospital a year later with serious stomach issues. My understanding was that alcohol was the table forever once you make the decision to get sleeved. They very specifically said no sip of champagne on New Years, no drink on birthdays, no sip ever again....literally not a single sip ever again.

It's all well and good that some people decide to ignore their doctors orders and their post surgery diet prescription but it's not useful or helpful to post your experience when someone who describes themselves as a "big drinker" says they are CRAVING and is needing support to NOT drink so soon after surgery.

@@Bulldog51, Is marijuana legal in your state? You should not smoke it but you can eat it or use tincture. It isn't the same as alcohol but it will blunt your cravings

I'm not a big drinker but with holiday parties I'd like a drink as much as anyone but I weighed the immediate risk to my health against a 30 minute buzz.

I had my first bit of alcohol 6 months after surgery. I wasn't planning on drinking but witnessed a traumatic event right before diner. I had less than an 1/8 of a cup and felt it way hard. I don't think I'll be drinking again anytime soon.

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I'm curious about this too for New Years. I was sleeved 11/23. I know if I ask my surgeon he'll say that's too soon.

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Then it's too soon.

Judgments about drinking and weight loss aside, I was not able to drink for a while. My first couple attempts to enjoy an adult beverage or met with a burning sensation in my belly. I am now a year out and have no problem having a drink or a beer, but I would say that if the alcohol burns your stomach then it's probably too soon. After all, basically one whole side of your stomach has been cut and resealed.

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My plan says no alcohol for 6 months because of irritation to stomach. After that it warns about empty calories, etc.

Thanks for all the input everyone. My "bible" as the team calls it says 4 months out. It was my friends wedding last night. I had two cranberry vodkas and didn't feel very much considering I have not drank in almost 3-4 months. I just wanted to fit in, but I just feel so guilty. I know it will never be the same again, but maybe it's a sign that alcohol really doesn't need to be in my life anymore, but then I isolate because I was always the life of the party or when hanging out. I know everyone is different and responds different to alcohol. I'll probably wait longer if I even do drink again. Thanks again for all the input

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