I had the gastric sleeve surgery on May 7th. Before surgery I liked to drink wine several times a week. Usually white, sometimes red. After surgery, didn't touch alcohol for 8 weeks. But tonight I've had 3 glasses of white wine. It's only 3 carbs per 5 oz. and around 100 calories. I ate protein for every meal and didn't snack at all. My total calories for the day including the wine are 700. Can someone explain to me why this would be considered "bad"? I'm not looking for judgement on the wine, just truly curious as to why alcohol is considered a bad thing.

30 minutes ago, Dfox1984 said:

Someone said vodka and soda but I thought carbonation was super bad for us...isn’t it?

Many programs say no carbonation, but there are some surgeons who dissent

http://drmatthewweiner.com/bariatric-surgery-myths/

http://www.obesityhelp.com/articles/drinking-soda-after-wls-debunking-the-myth

1 hour ago, Dfox1984 said:

My doctor said no alcohol for 18 MONTHS! I never planned on following this bc I’ve researched and he’s the only one who has that long of a wait time. I do plan on waiting a few months tho. Since the sugar is part of the problem, I plan on drinking vodka and Water and bring a sugar-free koolaid squeeze thing with me. It’s the lowest sugar drink you could have. Someone said vodka and soda but I thought carbonation was super bad for us...isn’t it?

and my doctor said 3 months... big difference eh? The point is that everyone's program is different. The only consistent thing is eventually they do allow alcohol again.

Edited July 9, 20188 yr by AshAsh1

Like the OP, I used to drink regularly - but not to excess. I love a drop of red, me.

However, as I think that's one of the reasons I ended up fat, I'm in no hurry to start it again.

On 7/9/2018 at 2:25 PM, AshAsh1 said:

On 7/9/2018 at 1:20 PM, Dfox1984 said:

My doctor said no alcohol for 18 MONTHS! I never planned on following this bc I’ve researched and he’s the only one who has that long of a wait time. I do plan on waiting a few months tho. Since the sugar is part of the problem, I plan on drinking vodka and Water and bring a sugar-free koolaid squeeze thing with me. It’s the lowest sugar drink you could have. Someone said vodka and soda but I thought carbonation was super bad for us...isn’t it?

and my doctor said 3 months... big difference eh? The point is that everyone's program is different. The only consistent thing is eventually they do allow alcohol again.

My Dr said no alcohol for 12 weeks/3 months same as AshAsh1. My Nut said no alcohol for 1 year! So even in the same program there are differences of opinion. My program is at UPMC and they are the program that published the study 2 years ago about alcoholism and gastric bypass so they did spend time discussing that with me.

I had my first glass of red wine at 8 weeks. The end of this week (July 20) will be 12 weeks. I don't plan on going on a binge or anything close to that. I found since that 1st glass that 2-3 glasses of wine and I am toasted and then I didn't remember going to bed! I had to ask my wife what happened? She said I was ok and when I went to bed I just passed out. That scared her and was frightening to me because before surgery I never had any episodes of not remembering when I drank. So I know first hand that alcohol post gastric bypass surgery does affect you differently than pre OP. Not sure if that will change for me the longer I am from surgery or not. I am not real anxious to find that out. Be careful until you know how alcohol affects you.

Like sillykitty, I also travel extensively for my job all over the country and alcohol is part of entertaining customers, and it is a part of the sales culture in my industry. I am starting back on my full travel schedule next week and am dreading that I may eventually fall back into the old habits of meals and alcohol. Travel will be my biggest test yet. Knowing how alcohol affects me now and not wanting to undo all that I have done to get here is a big motivator to not overdrink and overeat.

Ive had two friends after surgery become very addicted to alcohol and someone stated above the addiction transfers to another form. They have gained their weight back and now are addicted to alcohol as well. Its not a good idea to only change one facet in your life might as well make the change to all areas and start fresh!

I think it has to do with alcohol tolerance being lower after surgery, but also a transfer of addiction. If you’ve been addicted to food, and now you can’t eat like you used to, it’s easier to become an alcoholic.

On 7/9/2018 at 2:17 AM, GotProlactinoma said:

I’ve gone a year now since surgery and haven’t tried alcohol. Besides surgery, I reset my diet to not include sugars, or very very little. If I were ever to have a drink at a social gathering, what would be the least sweet at all? I couldn’t handle straight up scotch or vodka, I am not a drinker. Obviously no beer or wine. What cold be diluted with lemon juice and Water, say? Just wondering. If I don’t find anything palatable and not sweet, I might never drink again. Oh, maybe a Bloody Mary. Sounds yuck though.

I'm only 4 months out, and I haven't tried any yet either. My doctor said that I need to wait 6 months. I plan on having vodka and water and using Mio to flavor it. A friend of mine did that one time when we went out; it's smart. It has very few calories, and no carbs or sugar.

I was told absolutely no alcohol for the first 6 months and then to be careful of carbonated beverages after the fact. I realize every doctor has different schedules so listen to your doctor.

That being said I would warn anyone about alcohol use after surgery. I worked as a substance abuse counselor for many years and treated many individuals that cross addicted from food to alcohol. It is a very slippery slope. I’m not saying anyone here is headed in that direction but just a friendly reminder that it is very possible. Unfortunately those individuals not only had to address new addictions but had generally caused many additional medical issues as a result of the drinking.

On 7/9/2018 at 8:40 AM, t1018ross said:

Um, your response is incredibly rude. You don't know me AT ALL. How could you possibly get from my original post that I have an alcohol dependence problem?? I gave you ONE day of information and not even full information of what I ate, just the calories. I had white wine, on one night. Not a nightly thing at all. I've read a lot of your posts and they've always been friendly and you've always given good advice or feedback to questions. I'm truly shocked and disappointed by your judgmental response.

Stop being so sensitive.

I've experienced the blackout thing post-surgery, too, after 3 glasses of wine, so be careful. I think its because the alcohol enters you colon more quickly that before? Drinking contributed to my original weight gain, and I suspect it is slowing my weight loss, but I find complete abstinence difficult. That night where I had 3 glasses of wine was 3x6x20=360 calories!!!!!!

On 7/9/2018 at 11:25 AM, AshAsh1 said:

and my doctor said 3 months... big difference eh? The point is that everyone's program is different. The only consistent thing is eventually they do allow alcohol again.

I had 3 vodka martinis 3 weeks ago and it did nothing to me.

You must have a cast iron stomach and the intestines of a superhero. Most people it hits quick, it hits hard and you are in loopity loop land before you blink.???

Yes, nothing happened. It was like drinking water. It didnt make me drunk at all.

Yes, nothing happened. It was like drinking Water. It didnt make me drunk at all.

It will however slow down your progress...

VSG2017 HW 249 SW 238 CW 167

I only drink vodka martinis, straight tequila or Crown Royal and water in a 16 oz. glass a few times a week. Started at about 6 weeks out. Drink very slowly over at least an hour. Limit to 1-2 drinks per day. Do not feel any different than I did before surgery.

My program was pretty vague and it was discussed a little at the 6 week "now you can eat real food" appointment. They mostly said proceed with caution which I did. I count the calories in my daily totals.

Everyone is different and it might be "best" not to drink at all but I really don't see any negative effects and I enjoy it.