Next weekend I'll be trying alcohol for the first time since surgery. I'll be in a safe environment surrounded by people who know of my surgery and my new alcohol restrictions, so no worries there. I was never much of a drinker, I maybe partook 3 or 4 times a year, but beer was always my preference. This is no longer an option per my plan, so I'm wondering what everyone else drinks that's carbonation free and not filled with sugar. Alcohol is actually forbidden by my plan forever, so no guidelines are available from my practice since I'm going against their plan.

I was thinking chilled gin or vodka with a splash of diet cranberry juice? Something I can go slow and sip since it's my first go around.

If I'm out to dinner or a special event I'll get a glass of Cabernet or a skinny margherita and just sip it slowly.

I've had a glass of wine twice since surgery (4.5 years ago). My first was when I was about three years out. Like the above poster, I just sipped on it slowly.

Unlike my well behaved members above i do partake in my Vodka and Cranberry - i would suggest you be very careful the sugar and the juice can get to you fast. I prefer to load up on drink heavy with Vodka and A dash of cranberry and some water. It only takes one good one now a days to really feel it

Vodka cranberry is usually my drink of choice. I often order a double which gives the same alcohol content as two drinks but with half the volume to accommodate my smaller stomach. A double will also reduce the cranberry ratio which is good because of all the sugar in juice. I tried a vodka collins the other day. Loved the flavor but I think the carbonation really bothered me.

Ya know, I'm not much of a drinker but this thread is making me want to hit the bar.....?

During the weight loss phase, I tried to stick to dry red wine, Gin & Soda with lots of lime, straight Tequila.

(When I had any super sugary drinks/mixers, I would dump, so that helped me stay away from them).

Does alcohol alone make you dump? So straight moonshine would be OK?? Is it just sugary mixers that's the problem?

I have wine once in a while, or flavored vodka and ice water. One thing you could do is take a crystal light packets or a mio and you could mix that with vodka or rum. I found some places do not have beverages that are not carbonated unless juice or sugar. So the packets come in good. Do a tea and peach vodka, cherry vodka and lemonade etc.

11 hours ago, JRT Mom said:

Does alcohol alone make you dump? So straight moonshine would be OK?? Is it just sugary mixers that's the problem?

It's definitely the sugar in both the mixers and the alcohol itself (i.e., amaretto is my nemesis right now)

And yeah, anything straight and distilled I can drink all night (incl. moonshine, lol).

Thanks, all! I'm sure I'll have a variety of options to choose from. I'll stick with gin, vodka, or maybe a dry wine. I love the sugar free/crystal light mixin idea, too!