After I got down to goal weight, I thought it would be ok to drink on weekends. I was aware of the higher risk of alcoholism after WLS, but not that there was any increased risk of damage to your liver or anything. Now there's this:

https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/addiction/news/20190620/drug_alcohol_deaths_soar_after_weight-loss_surgery#1

What a bummer! Oh well, one more reason to avoid empty calories.

I tracked down the original article. It turns out most of the reported deaths were from drug overdoses rather than alcohol. They also didn't delve into causation vs. correlation. Big title, but not much real information. If you're interested: https://www.soard.org/article/S1550-7289(19)30143-1/fulltext

Edited June 22, 20197 yr by Orchids&Dragons

I'm glad I don't drink alcohol

15 hours ago, Orchids&Dragons said:

I tracked down the original article. It turns out most of the reported deaths were from drug overdoses rather than alcohol.

They also talk about "abuse". Whatever that means in terms of alcohol. Is a glass of wine or two on weekends now and then "abuse"? Then there is also the big difference between lethal acute intoxication and chronic damage (same with drugs).

Personally I'm more worried about accidental drug overdoses. What comes to my mind is e. g. paracetamol. OTC, especially for WLS patients a go-to for headaches and it metabolizes via the liver.

To be honest, id be more worried about dying in a car crash on the way to work then having a drink now and then.

We all need to consume in moderation now

I did know a RNY person that turned to alcohol instead of food and it ruined his life - he lost his job, ability to drive and other things. I still think many bariatric programs need to mandate therapy for 6 months prior ad 1 year after because so many people fail to find a coping mechanism to replace food and have a multitude of reasons behind the symptom of using food. There is of course a wide spectrum to disordered eating and many are unwilling to admit or tackle that - oh I just eat too much, etc.

1.5 years of mandatory therapy? Offering therapy, yes. Mandatory, no.

Nobody should be forced into therapy or counseling.

Wow.

I like to drink every once in a blue moon but can live without it.

I was advised to lay off of booze for at least 1 yr after surgery.....it's not a problem for me (I did it for almost 2 yrs straight before way before surgery).

Unfortunately some people revert to those things as a new coping mechanism and drink a bit too fast, forgetting they may feel it more. I've drank 3 times since surgery and haven't felt any urge to abuse it or any desire that I *need* a drink or anything like that. My coworker's friend had the surgery and became a heroin addict! She is about 90lbs now and although she is in her 30s she looks like she's in her late 50s, and is in and out of rehab. Definitely a shocking story. I stupidly started smoking again a few months out from surgery because I NEVER had a problem quitting before or picking up a pack and then not buying another for months... but this time was HARD. I haven't smoked for 3 weeks now but I actually felt like I had become addicted to the nicotine which is something I have never experienced before.

Edited July 10, 20197 yr by mousecat88

3 hours ago, mousecat88 said:

I haven't smoked for 3 weeks now but I actually felt like I had become addicted to the nicotine which is something I have never experienced before.

Quitting smoking is a b***h. Wishing you success here.