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Alcohol after Bypass

Katja

By Katja, in Gastric Bypass Surgery Forums

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Katja    15

Katja
Posted

Hi Folks,

Anyone know why we should not have alcohol for a year (my program's rule)?

I know it's empty calories and it goes to the head really fast, but is there some other reason not to drink?

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perfektlynrml    185

perfektlynrml
Posted

You can end up with a transfeR addiction. Sometimes when you can no longer comfort eat you easily can become a problem drinker. I am going down that route and I need help. Just a word of caution.

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catwoman7    11,278

catwoman7
Posted

yes - it's due to transfer addiction. Unfortunately, it's not uncommon among WLS patients.. I think they want to make sure you have your eating issues under control so you just don't substitute alcohol for food in response to stress, etc. I was told to wait a year as well.

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TinDE    83

TinDE
Posted

6 hours ago, Katja said:

Hi Folks,

Anyone know why we should not have alcohol for a year (my program's rule)?

I know it's empty calories and it goes to the head really fast, but is there some other reason not to drink?

My doc’s rule is six months. I was told it was because they want to make sure your pouch is healed completely and also dehydration is an issue since alcohol is so dehydrating.

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Jaye W    220

Jaye W
Posted

I can attest to that- I am 6.5 months post sleeve. I had 2 mules last night at a dinner party- I woke up in the middle of the night with charley horse in my calves. I had adequate hydration for the day. Luckily I keep a glass of ice Water next to the bed at night.

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Bartender1    3

Bartender1
Posted

On 9/19/2021 at 1:57 PM, perfektlynrml said:

You can end up with a transfeR addiction. Sometimes when you can no longer comfort eat you easily can become a problem drinker. I am going down that route and I need help. Just a word of caution.

I feel for you I didn't drink for the first year just like they told me back in 2008 although alcoholism was never mentioned back then and ultimately as soon as I took that first drink the switch went off in my head and I became an alcoholic I've been clean now for 4 or 5 years definitely go to Brighton hospital if you would if you can do it was wonderful experience there and do the 12-step and follow it to the t that's all I can tell you good luck

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ColieCallwell    129

ColieCallwell
Posted

I think I may have been an alcoholic before surgery, on top of having a food addiction. I'm only 2 mos post sleeve surgery, and have loved not being tied to having to have a drink every night after work. I'm terrified that if I take one drink, it will turn into a daily issue again. I also worry about my liver, without the proper anatomy to properly process alcohol, what damage would that do. I'm just going to opt for trying not to drink alcohol again.

Sent from my SM-N976V using BariatricPal mobile app

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Summermoose    195

Summermoose
Posted

I was told to wait primarily because during the weight loss phase your liver is having to work like crazy to get rid of the toxins that your fat cells are releasing, and if you add alcohol to that could be very damaging.. and of course also the increased risk of alcoholism.
Glad I wasn’t much of a drinker before (like.. 10 drinks a year maybe?) because dealing with food habits and changing those for the better is already a LOT!
So much respect for all of you who are dealing with missing alcohol on top of everything else 🌸

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Bartender1    3

Bartender1
Posted

11 hours ago, ColieCallwell said:

I think I may have been an alcoholic before surgery, on top of having a food addiction. I'm only 2 mos post sleeve surgery, and have loved not being tied to having to have a drink every night after work. I'm terrified that if I take one drink, it will turn into a daily issue again. I also worry about my liver, without the proper anatomy to properly process alcohol, what damage would that do. I'm just going to opt for trying not to drink alcohol again.

Sent from my SM-N976V using BariatricPal mobile app

Colie, If you find it hard trying not to drink, try a meeting, and look for aa forums.

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ColieCallwell    129

ColieCallwell
Posted

Colie, If you find it hard trying not to drink, try a meeting, and look for aa forums.
I'm doing okay so far, but won't even take a taste of alcohol for fear I'll take it up again. We went to a party last night and it was not as hard as I thought it would be to not have a drink.

Sent from my SM-N976V using BariatricPal mobile app

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Go To Topic Listing Gastric Bypass Surgery Forums

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    • LeighaTR

      LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 2 replies
      1. Selina333

        Selina333

        I'm so happy for you! You are about to change your life. I was so glad to get the sleeve done in Dec. I didn't have feelings of regret overall. And I'm down almost 60 lbs. I do feel a little sad at restaurants. I can barely eat half a kid's meal. I get adults meals often because kid ones don't have the same offerings at times. Then I feel obligated to eat on that until it's gone and that can be days. So the restaurant thing isn't great for me. All the rest is fine by me! I love feeling full with very little. I do wish I could drink when eating. And will sip at the end. Just a strong habit to stop. But I'm working on it! You will do fine! Just keep focused on your desire to be different. Not better or worse. But different. I am happy both ways but my low back doesn't like me that heavy. So I listened (also my feet!). LOL! Update us on your journey! I'm not far from you. I'm in Houston. Good luck and I hope it all goes smoothly! Would love to see pics of the town you go to for this. I've never been there. Neat you will be traveling for this! Enjoy the journey. Take it one day at a time. Sometimes a few hours at a time. Follow all recommendations as best you can. 💗

      2. Doughgurl

        Doughgurl

        Thank you so much for your well wishes. I am hoping that everything goes easy for me as well. We don't eat out much as it is, so it wont be too bad in that department. Thankfully. Also, I hear you regarding your back and feet!! I'd like to add knees to the list. Killing me as we speak! I'm only 5' so the weight has to go. Too short to carry all this weight. Menopause really did a doosey on me. (😶lol) My daughter also lives in Houston. with her Husband and my 5 grand-littles. I grew up in Beaumont, so I know Houston well, I will be sure to keep in touch and update you on my journey. I may need some advice in the future, or just motivation. Thank You so much for reaching out, I was hoping to connect with someone in the community. I really appreciate it. 💜

    • Alisa_S

      Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • Alisa_S

      Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

    • CaseyP1011

      CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.

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