Question!? And I am sure this is repetitive but I can’t find a specific answer! So I am 8 weeks in post operation. And my friends invited me out for drinks I explained that I can’t drink and they said for me to just try a buzzball which is 19.9 grams in carbs, 22.1 grams in alcohol, 248 in calories and also it’s gluten free! And I think I could probably only do half of that anyway. So my question is can I have a little to drink ? And how would it affect me if I do? Besides getting intoxicated faster. Thanks in advance and hope everyone has an amazing new year!!!

That is a pretty strong drink. Don’t know what your daily calorie intake is but 248 is a lot of calories to waste on a single glass of alcohol which provides no nutritional benefit which should be your focus. 248 calories would have been 3/4 of my daily intake then. The carbs would also be a significant percentage of your limit too I would guess. And alcohol dehydrates you & slows your metabolism.

In saying that I had a gin & tonic at around 2 months at my cousin’s 40th. I nursed that drink for more than 4 hours. Didn’t really enjoy it either & I didn’t have another drink for months. I don’t drink much at all since my surgery. An odd glass of champagne or a G&T maybe once a month or less often. My friends don’t pressure me to drink even though they drink. I realised I don’t need to drink to socialise & enjoy being with my friends.

My question is what sort of friends are they to try to force you to drink when medically you’re advised not to? Are they trying to sabotage your weight loss?

Ultimately though it is your decision. If you want to have a drink maybe look for a lower calorie drink with fewer carbs & less alcohol.

I drink if its an occasion and I feel like it. Why not ? My team have never banned it and I am old and fairly sensible. I choose low alcohol spirits and a lots of diet mixer. At 2 months out, we went on a All inclusive holiday and I carefully tried a few Bloody Mary's. I lived to tell the tale, nothing bad happened.

Alcohol hits people very differently post-op, interestingly enough obviously not only depending on the kind of surgery a patient had. I understand bypass being a problem but tbh not really why a sleeve should propose problems, aside from being drunk on less alcohol because weight already has gone down significantly, that is.

I can remember that we were advised to be cautious with alcohol because it hits differently (or can hit differently) than before. The dietitian told us to "try it at home first".

Tbh, I can't remember the recommended time span that should be between surgery date and first alcoholic drink (I clearly remember though that the time span was four weeks for "real" coffee because I'm an addict. First coffee after four weeks of that chicory imitation stuff asted so damn good, rofl) - it might have been 12 weeks because alcohol is one of the bigger irritants to the stomach lining but I'm not really sure. I didn't pay much attention to this part of education because I was never much of a wine, beer or liquor consumer.

Anyway, alcohol hits me like a hammer and is basically always involved when it comes to the rare occasions of late dumping and heartburn so I'm not too fond of this particular liquid drug. When I drink alcohol I always pair it with hearty food, not with sugary foods.

I didn't drink alcohol at all for 8+ months post surgery. I'm now 12 months out. I do drink wine and spirits now but it hits me very fast and hard. I'd be staggering at two drinks.

Also, alcohol wastes calories. I'd rather save them for real food.

Another reason to avoid alcohol is "addictive transference" Alcoholism developing after bariatric surgery is a real thing. I'm going to do the "Dry January Challenge". It's New Years Eve tonight, so I'll have my last drink for at least a month.

Edited December 31, 20223 yr by Sunnyway

Alcohol is very weird for me post surgery. I never seem to feel the buzzed feeling I used to. I like the taste of my rum and crystal light (I used to drink rum and diet or Coke Zero) I assume it’s because of the sugar it tastes good but otherwise it really is a waste of calories for me. Most people claim they get intoxicated way faster and it seems to go away way faster. If you do decide to drink out with friends I wouldn’t do that until you test out the exact same thing at home first with the same exact mixer and everything to make sure it doesn’t physically make you sick, be sure you have a designated driver since your body processes alcohol differently now and be sure you plan ahead what healthy snacks you will eat when your inhibitions go down if your like me and you want to eat.

Well, technically alcohol is not recommended for anyone, just like so many things we eat, drink, inhale, inject or whatever. The trick of such things is to be aware of the possible harms and to mitigate them as well as we can.

For Gastric Bypass folks the reason some foods and drinks are an issue is when we eat them they don't get to spend any time in our stomachs soaking in digestive juices anymore. Everything drops directly into our intestines.

Many/Most Gastric Bypass folks, of which I am one and this is true for me, report that alcohol hits quicker and harder. On the flip side it fades quicker and the after affects, if you have any, happen and fade sooner. Because of all this try it at home or in and otherwise safe place to see how alcohol affects you.

Now for the warnings and caveats:

Again, since the alcohol is not being doled to your intestines over time by your stomach, it is being digested and absorbed quickly and overwhelms your liver quicker which creates problems for your liver. Issues on the liver with overdrinking will happen quicker for us.

Then there is the whole addiction transfer thing to which we may be more vulnerable. Especially early post-op we've had food taken away and haven't gotten used to our new situation. With the quick buzz it's a not uncommon problem.

Especially early post-op alcohol on a healing surgery invites ulcers.

On to real life:

We're adults more or less. Most of us that drank pre-op will drink post-op. Try to be cautious and enjoy.

Good luck,

Tek

my clinic's instructions were to wait a year before trying alcohol. This was probably due to healing (early on) and the fact transfer addiction is a common problem. I've read and heard numerous accounts of people who never had a problem with alcohol before surgery who afterward became alcoholic (and since that runs in my family, I'm doubly careful)

I didn't have my first drink until I was about three years out. It hits fast and hard. I now drink an occasional glass of wine (maybe once every couple of months), and one glass is about all I can handle.

Personally I would be pretty upset if a "friend" tried to talk me into something that medical personnel told me not to.

Edited December 31, 20223 yr by catwoman7

Just my thought, you can go out with your friends without actually drinking alcohol. I dont drink because I dont like it but I do go out with my friends and just have nonalcohlic drinks.

Have you checked with your team? My dietician allowed me a glass of wine with my Christmas dinner last year and that was 6 weeks after my sleeve. Since then I have had a couple of drinks most weekends or on holidays, but it was all sanctioned first. Happy new year and whatever you do do it safely!

The more I think about it this may be done of those times where you have to set boundaries with your friends. I’d like to think they will enjoy your company Regardless they just think YOU will no have as much fun if you are left out. I have learned though that you can have just as much fun drinking non alcohol drink. I like iced coffee if you are allowed caffeine (black with milk and Splenda). If you give in and have even one drink though this time they may bug you that much more to have food you don’t want down the road. If you stand your ground this time though, they may not try to get you to have just one slice of cake at the next get together. If that makes any sense. Only you know your friends but it’s something to consider.

I don't consume anything for the first time, while away from home. We never know how something is going to effect us and it would really suck to have an episode of dumping, while out in public.

I’m a dumper, I can’t even eat a hot pretzel without feeling awful afterwards. Def not worth it in my opinion.

UPDATE!

so I did do a no no but it was a live and learn lesson. at least I know to be more cautious now. I did have a different drink and was very buzzed after 3 sips I wanna say it was at least16oz and it was mixed the drink. It was called penicillin lol don’t know what was in it but I drank it very slow and was gone. I also had sips of shots of patron I think that’s what hurt my stomach the most. I also smoked and I really regret it. But like I said it was a live and learn thing won’t do it again. I will have another drink in the future just a little thought next time. I wanna thank everyone for the advice and I hope you all have an amazing new year and everything 2023 will bring you joy and beautiful memories. PEACE AND BLESSINGS.