Hi I'm going to a big wedding and really want to have a drink there. I am 3 and half weeks post op. Also my social gathering amount all my friends I've had for over 20 years all gather for drinks on weekends and I'm being to feel left out of my social group. Would I harm myself by having just 2 gin and orange every Saturday at this stage? In 2 days it will be 4 weeks post op.

Remember that alcohol is going to be very different from before surgery. 1 beer will hit you like if you took several shots.

This is a good video to watch

Wow, so many reasons that you shouldn't. I haven't, 12 weeks post op. First, you don't know how your new tummy will react. Do you really want to have a dumping "event," or be sick as a dog? I have heard that liquor has a greater effect after, so you could end up face first in the punch bowl-God forbid all three. I wouldn't. If they know about your surgery, and they are your friends, they will be supportive. Also, social pressure should not figure into this. Just saying.

I'd stick to a Virgin Mary. Looks and tastes like a Bloody Mary, with none of the transfer addiction/dumping/hangover risks. But of course, you do you.

Edited April 15, 20224 yr by FutureSylph

It'll depend if you ask for the US view or the global view. US view = no.

I was cleared for alcohol 28 days post-op. I have had a drink or a glass of wine weekly since. It hits a lot harder, but I have a significant bypass, not a sleeve, so it goes further down - faster - and I adjusted my amounts down accordingly.

I'm in the 95th percentile for weight lost, was told to stop losing 10 lbs ago by my program, and have maintained a steady weight for four months now. Still drinking weekly.

You need to have an honest talk with yourself about this. And by honest, I don't mean 'I can stick to one at this one thing' and then it goes off the rails. Really think about if you feel like you can manage it. If no, don't. If yes, well, have fun.

Edited April 15, 20224 yr by Guest

Go a head, have your 1st drink in public & let us know how that goes. ?‍♀️

28 minutes ago, toodlerue said:

?‍♀️

Wow.

Rude comments are unnecessary. She asked a question in a forum made for ASKING QUESTIONS. If you don’t have anything helpful to contribute to the post then move along.
I personally don’t see the issue with having a drink. I would suggest starting with 1 drink and seeing how you feel. Remember to sip slowly as it will hit a lot harder than what you are used to and worse case scenario if you do dump you’ll be able to feel it coming sooner if you’re sipping versus drinking faster.
I hope you enjoy the wedding and spending time with your friends! ❤️

After all I had to do to GET the surgery and all that I have to do to make sure that it works for a lifetime, you couldn't pay me to have a drink. I am following my surgeon's instructions to the letter and that means no alcohol. Besides, I'd rather chew the very few calories that I consume.

I knew this would be an interesting thread when I read the title.

And yes, she asked fellow weight loss surgery peers for their opinions and she got mixed replies. That's the nature of forums like these. And also the same thing happens on here when people ask about pre-op diets. Everyone's doctor has a different idea of what is best.

I'm not going to give my opinion. My suggestion is to follow your plan or whatever guidelines that your surgeon gave you. You trusted them enough to perform your weight loss surgery, so follow their guidelines. They know what's best for you.

Sure. Have a sip. Wait. Assess. Consider. Have another sip. Repeat.

Also the OP is from Swansea not rural Pennsylvania and alcohol is formulated differently there.

Edited April 15, 20224 yr by Guest

4 hours ago, Donna zariya said:

Hi I'm going to a big wedding and really want to have a drink there. I am 3 and half weeks post op. Also my social gathering amount all my friends I've had for over 20 years all gather for drinks on weekends and I'm being to feel left out of my social group. Would I harm myself by having just 2 gin and orange every Saturday at this stage? In 2 days it will be 4 weeks post op.

Why not just have soda or virgin drinks? You don't have to stay home and be left out. As long as you're there with your friends, does it matter what you're drinking? If they're you're friends, they'll understand why you aren't drinking alcohol and they'll just be glad you're there with them.

Edited April 15, 20224 yr by Future Sleeve Diva

This isn't advice in any way but I had a half a glass of dry vermouth 3 weeks after surgery. It hit me like 2 glasses of vermouth but that isn't all that hard. My surgeon was fine with it. If there are actual reasons why a small drink at 3 weeks is bad, I'd be really interested. I also haven't heard wine can cause dumping either but I'm interested in any information about that too.

1 hour ago, Future Sleeve Diva said:

If they're you're friends, they'll understand why you aren't drinking alcohol and they'll just be glad you're there with them.

I like this attitude a lot. And you're right, btw. Nice to finally see an empathetic reply from the no side.

At the same time, OP is European and we have a different culture when it comes to alcohol (yet fewer people in alcohol treatment per capita, go figure). It's part of social life many places, and it's easy to understand why OP is facing a challenge.

If you allow yourself that empathy, that is. The same empathy extended to so many of you in life situations that require us to think about what it's like to be you.

Edited April 15, 20224 yr by Guest

15 minutes ago, MiniGastricBypassDude said:

OP is European

I was told to wait a year - and I waited three (years). I got pretty buzzed on just one drink - no way I could have handled two mixed drinks. Plus transfer addiction is a problem for some WLS patients - some end up with alcoholism if they're not careful.

I was never a big drinker even before WLS. I'd often just order a coke or something when I was at a bar with friends. No one cared. And if they had - well, too bad. I was perfectly happy with my coke (or whatever non-alcoholic thing I happened to be drinking).