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

Drinking strategy



Recommended Posts

Wondering what folks are doing in terms of drinking. If I want to go for a night out, but don't want to get plastered what can I drink if I don't do beer or wine? Beer is too fizzy and wine puts me to sleep, so I stick to low calorie mixed drinks, problem is they tend to be way stronger so over a couple hours I can easily have more than I want. Anyone have any low cal / low alcohol mixed drinks?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Wondering what folks are doing in terms of drinking. If I want to go for a night out, but don't want to get plastered what can I drink if I don't do beer or wine? Beer is too fizzy and wine puts me to sleep, so I stick to low calorie mixed drinks, problem is they tend to be way stronger so over a couple hours I can easily have more than I want. Anyone have any low cal / low alcohol mixed drinks?
Ask for your cocktail as a "tall" where the ratio of mixer to alcohol is greater which would minimize the alcohol effect. I like grapefruit and vodka.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I think before you actually do go out, make a mixed drink at home and see how you do. You don’t want to go out and end up getting sick! I suggest taking it slow, and limit the number of drinks. I sip on red wine occasionally, but it makes me really tired like you said, beer is an absolute no for me. I have sipped on mojito’s and raspberry margarita’s, and was fine. You can also request that the bartender go easy on his/her pour.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

10 hours ago, LColandrea said:

I think before you actually do go out, make a mixed drink at home and see how you do. You don’t want to go out and end up getting sick! I suggest taking it slow, and limit the number of drinks. I sip on red wine occasionally, but it makes me really tired like you said, beer is an absolute no for me. I have sipped on mojito’s and raspberry margarita’s, and was fine. You can also request that the bartender go easy on his/her pour.

Thanks. I actually go out a LOT (job hazard). The problem is I really feel my drinks so I'm looking for ways to minimize. My go to has been vodka and diet cran. Thinking maybe rum and coke since rum is often half the alcohol of vodka. I have gotten good at not overdoing it. Post surgery I feel it way more and much more quickly, but it also passes faster too.

will have to look at a 'tall' in my are that usually is a double (2x the alcohol). Really something like flat beer would be ideal, low alcohol and it takes a long time to drink.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

just be careful - transfer addiction is a risk for bariatric patients. I've seen more than a few people post on various internet forums that they developed alcoholism after bariatric surgery. That's not to say you can't enjoy a drink once in awhile. But...watch it.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

1 hour ago, catwoman7 said:

just be careful - transfer addiction is a risk for bariatric patients. I've seen more than a few people post on various internet forums that they developed alcoholism after bariatric surgery. That's not to say you can't enjoy a drink once in awhile. But...watch it.

THIS👆

I've been testing the waters with red wine and it started giving me that familiar feeling of pleasure from consuming something, not to mention the great buzz after only one glass. If you have it, maybe don't keep it in your house so it's easier to limit to just going out on special occasions and what not.

Also, I know everyone's Dr has slightly different rules, but I'm not allowed to have carbonation the rest of my life, I was told. Some Dr's say it's a myth, but your body will tell you if that's the case, most likely.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Ask for a tall glass of Water with just ONE shot of vodka in it. add lime/lemon- lots.

And You can ask for a glass of water also and add more water as you drink.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I would consider a wine and soda spritz with a very dry - low sugar option for the wine. Over ice with citrus squeeze. Beer over ice and wine over ice. Rum has too much sugar for me so I get that sweat and nasty feeling. The rates of post WLS and alcoholism are alarming. The consumption of alcohol is another body changer but not as readily discussed. Gin at times has lower proof. - I was a bartender in college.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Thanks! Aware of the transfer risk, so am very careful to take it easy. There's actually a number of risks post surgery including a super high rate of divorce and a higher rate of accidental death. So far I'm beating the odds and don't enjoy drinking enough where I think it'll be a problem (also only really drink when out of business, which often times has weeks in between events)

Some good ideas here. Any carbonation for me is a no go, just feel full and uncomfortable.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Divorce I get - big life change. but accidents? Interesting.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I haven't had any form of alcohol in several years. It doesn't fit with my lifestyle or choices anymore. I'm 5 years post VSG and had to really overhaul my entire lifestyle. even after surgery and I lost my weight, I got some sobering health news that made me have to tighten up my eating even more.

I stick to sugar free iced coffee when I'm out and about, and have some Zevia-flat- for a treat.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I have job-related drinking too, and find that two drinks is now my limit for a night. And I deliberately eat before I go, which I used to do to make sure I could soak up booze, and now do because it ensures I drink verrrrrry slowly. I also do booze-water alternating, so if I do finish that first glass, the second one is Water.

And I order a lot of Shirley temples now at work events, which amuses me and always makes other people laugh when they ask what it is. And then they usually get jealous and get one themselves.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I never drank but always had a diet soda. Post surgery the diet soda is out and plain ol' H2O is my go to drink.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

For me it’s one twisted tea once in a long while or I can do 1/2 margarita. Once in a long while.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Recently I switched to Vodka Water and lime juice. Very good

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?
      · 2 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..

    • 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

    ×