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

Bariatric friendly alcoholic drinks?



Recommended Posts

Hey guys, so I am 10 months post-Op and I used to be a social drinker. I do wanna introduce alcohol socially only during dates and other outings. Ofc I know I'll have to be cautious and what not and that I will be, so question is what alcoholic drinks are more favorable for bariatric patients? Form your experience, which ones did you try incorporating? Something that's low sugar and less calories? Red wine, white wine?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Personally, I'm don't care about "bariatric friendly" when I drink. Alcohol is not on my plan which is another reason I'm not looking at how it will impact my weight.

My first consideration is not to drink often. Anything not on my plan I don't do often. Just my plan for off plan adventures.

Next, I dump on sugar so I must be careful to I avoid fruit juices and sugared mixers such as cola. Amazingly enough, dumping takes the pleasure out of just about anything.

Be sure whatever you do works for you. Do test run's at home because the effects of alcohol often hits GB patients quicker and harder than normal and also passes quicker, which could be precarious in public.

Good luck,

Tek

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I always enjoyed a large glass of wine or two every night before surgery now I rarely drink. It may sound odd but I don’t enjoy it as much any more. I might have a glass of champagne, wine or a gin & tonic & one is enough, maybe once or twice a month or so depending on what socialising I’m doing. And I take ages to drink the glass & sometimes don’t finish the glass. I never enjoyed sweet alcoholic drinks & rarely used mixers except with tonic or suds Water with gin. (I don’t even add water or ice to my whisky.) I say I drink quality now not quantity. Certainly drinking less than my friends has not affected my socialising & enjoyment of an event. And my bar tab is always cheaper LOL!

I have noticed that if I drink I tend to nibble on food more, don’t drink enough water & notice it on the scale the next day.

Best advice is probably just to take it slowly & see what works for you.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I have drank 2 times since surgery. First time I had 4 shots over 5 hours and it was weird, I actually made a post about it. The first shot hit me hard and quick but then passed quick and nothing else really eventful through the night. Was kind of a waste of calories.

BUT! The second time I drank I was **** faced and passed out in the bathroom by 10pm. It was crazy. I made "skinny margaritas", to keep it as you say bariatric friendly. My recipe is : 24oz cup filled with ice, half shot of pure lime juice, half shot of pure lemon juice, 2 shots of tequila and 3 splenda packets. The only sugar and calories are in the alcohol.

I don't know why I got so trashed on these and not the shots though, so BE WARE when drinking.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Crystal light isn’t bad with flavored rum. Not sure how to accomplish that when your out though. I guess you could order a shot and a bottled Water and mix it but it would depend on where you are. That’s exactly what I did at the sand bar but it’s super casual. People even bring their own glass to keep their drink cold there. Plus we had the “boat” rented out for a party so it was all people that knew me around that could see.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Vodka sodas (NOT tonics…tonic Water has lotsa calories!) with LOTS of lime was my go to the first year or so after surgery. Also dry red wine.

Like others said, take it slow…you won’t know how you will be affected…until you do.

Good Luck!

Edited by ms.sss

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

So I tried *red wine* at home, about 0.33 of a cup or so. I think I did okay. Yes it did get me buzzed just with that amount lol. So I'll have to go slow when I am out and about.

I don't dump on sugars or carbs so I think I should be okay with drinks as long as I keep them in small quantity.

Edited by DaisyAndSunshine

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Vodka sodas (NOT tonics…tonic Water has lotsa calories!) with LOTS of lime was my go to the first year or so after surgery. Also dry red wine.
Like others said, take it slow…you won’t know how you will be affected…until you do.
Good Luck!
Agree. Vodka or Tequila soda. Go slow. It hits you fast. Avoid drinking liquor by itself. I've made cocktails with less mixers and more soda water so I can still have a cocktail but less Alcohol and sugar.

Sent from my SM-G975U using BariatricPal mobile app

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

8 hours ago, Arabesque said:

Dr Matthew Weiner posted about alcohol after surgery on instagram today.

30CA3ED8-41AB-4988-B6C0-221ADDB5FE3E.thumb.jpeg.c4dad51e5ffdbd5d242e86f261995f32.jpeg

Based on my personal experience I would agree with this.

EVERYONE I know who had surgery told me "you get drunk faster but you sober up faster too"

NOPE! Not for me. I get drunk WAY faster and STAY drunk WAY longer.

Luckily I never drank much anyway, so it is easy to just skip it unless I plan on making a night of it. haha

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I've started trying to get accustomed to just drinking some sort of spirit or liqueur on the rocks...I was a gin and tonic gal before and while I know many of you are able to handle bubbles eventually, I'm a year out and they still give me the ick, so no more. I find that I don't tend to drink the stronger stuff as fast and it tends to get watered down by the ice. LOTS OF ICE.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

On 9/14/2022 at 11:27 PM, Arabesque said:

I always enjoyed a large glass of wine or two every night before surgery now I rarely drink. It may sound odd but I don’t enjoy it as much any more. I might have a glass of champagne, wine or a gin & tonic & one is enough, maybe once or twice a month or so depending on what socialising I’m doing. And I take ages to drink the glass & sometimes don’t finish the glass. I never enjoyed sweet alcoholic drinks & rarely used mixers except with tonic or suds Water with gin. (I don’t even add Water or ice to my whisky.) I say I drink quality now not quantity. Certainly drinking less than my friends has not affected my socialising & enjoyment of an event. And my bar tab is always cheaper LOL!

I have noticed that if I drink I tend to nibble on food more, don’t drink enough water & notice it on the scale the next day.

Best advice is probably just to take it slowly & see what works for you.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

In the weeks before surgery you’re on the restrictive pre surgery diet so no alcohol for about two weeks +/- prior to your surgery. After surgery you’ll be advised to avoid alcohol too for a period of time. Alcohol is high in empty calories, dehydrates you & will slow your metabolism & weight loss. Plus there is the concern that if you have an addiction to food you will become addicted to alcohol as you can’t satisfy your food cravings.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

18 hours ago, Barry atric pac said:

Did you take a Blood Alcohol Test before surgery. If so, how long did you have to abstain from drinking

i stopped drinking in the first day of my 2 week pre-op diet.

And no, i didn't have to take a blood-alcohol test at any time.

Had my first drink (2-3 sips of red wine) at around 3 weeks post op. Had my 2nd (partial) drink around 2-3 months post which gave me one of the worst dumping experiences i have had to date (it was a sugary soju-sake cocktail).

I had maybe 4-5 (partial) drinks during weight loss phase: vodka sodas or very dry red wine.

Now im just a normal regular drinker for the most part (but i still try to stay away from overly sugary drinks).

Im 4 years post op.

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

    • 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

      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

        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

        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

      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

        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

      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

        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

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
      · 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

    ×