Alcohol consumption

[greekgoddess2468 1]

Hi everyone! When did everyone have their first sip post surgery? I’m 7 months out now & on vacation. I want to have one cocktail but I’m kind of nervous since I have drank in forever and I don’t eat much.

[catwoman7 11,272]

my clinic said to wait for a year - but I waited three years. Just be aware that it's likely to hit you much faster than it did pre-surgery. I really feel the effects after just one glass of wine now.

[pintsizedmallrat 475]

I waited six months, make sure you're wherever you're ending up for the evening when you try it. Guaranteed it's going to smack you pretty hard the first time.

[Jonathan Carlson 75]

I was told to wait a year. I'm at 5 months

[Spinoza 1,501]

Oh wow this is one of those things on which different programmes are so very different!

I was cleared to have a glass or two of wine 7 weeks post op (xmas though so that might have accelerated my request). And I have had *some* alcohol on one or two days pretty much every week since then.

Honestly I don't think it has held me back at all. I know this might be very different for others though.

Can't see that one or two drinks on a holiday will impede your progress.

Hope you have a lovely holiday OP!

[Sigh 199]

In my paperwork the instructions we were given were to take a Prilosec before and after drinking- to keep the stomach acid under control. I haven’t tried it yet, but im not a big drinker anyway.

[Arabesque 7,566]

It was at about two months. I had a gin & tonic which I sipped for hours - not kidding. Then it was another couple of months before I had another. I actually sort of lost my taste for it. Four years out & I still don’t drink often - usually a glass about once a month (except last weekend with girlfriends & a wedding - was a glass & a half of champagne each day for three days).

A glass or two while you’re away likely won’t hurt. But do check with your team because plans differ. Remember it does slow your metabolism & the effects of the alcohol may be stronger & you may feel the effects more quickly. Track the calories & keep your non alcoholic fluids up.

Edited July 24, 2023 by Arabesque

[BabySpoons 632]

I was cleared to drink alcohol at 3 months post-op which was right on July 4th. I made a mix of sugar free Cranberry juice and a shot of vodka. Tasted good, didn't make me drunk, sick or passed out. But made sure I ate something beforehand and drank very slowly.

Have fun!!

[summerseeker 2,354]

I had a Bloody Mary at 2 months out while on holiday. I drank it slow and it was delicious. The buzz didn't last long but it was ok.

Its a holiday, I would

[NP_WIP 274]

I was told a year, but I sipped a beer at about 6 weeks, hated the taste and still do 8 months post op. Had my first official drink 8 weeks post op, a margarita with lots of ice to dilute the drink. It will hit you fast, 2 sips in and I started to feel a tingling sensation in my nape, that's how I still know I'm getting tipsy. I did notice that even though it hits faster, it also metabolizes faster.

I tasted wine about 4 months post op, prefer not to do it, cheap wine its not the way to go, my palate separates the alcohol and it taste like a sip of juice, followed by a sip of alcohol. Since then, I had done a skinny mojito twice. I do try to limit the amount of alcohol I'm consuming because of the empty calories, and because I do not want to go back to bad habits, socially I think is fine.

[SleeveToBypass2023 2,680]

I was told 8 months with the sleeve and 1 year with the bypass, but I don't drink (don't like the taste and don't see the point in it, to be honest) so I don't partake at all. I was told to sip it very slowly and be prepared for it to hit harder and faster than normal. But again, I don't drink, so I wasn't worried about it.

[KathyLev 286]

I'll have what Babyspoons is having ! I'm only 2 months out,but I'm looking forward to sitting on my deck with my dogs,having a drink,watching the birds and listening to my radio. I hate even asking my doc - I'm afraid he'll think "why is she in so much hurry to have a drink?" Same with asking for something for pain .... they make you feel guilty for asking.

[Lipman 47]

I was told 6 months by my doc, but made it 2. Went on a trip to Italy and drank 2-4 glasses of wine a day (never more than 2 at a time for lunch and/or dinner), then another trip to the beach where I consumed quite a few frozen cocktails. I learned pretty quickly to stay away from the heavy cream type of cocktails as they filled me up and made me not feel great. With the cocktails, I also got a real dry mouth sensation an hour or so after stopping. Now that I am back home, I'll stay away from the empty calories until at least 6 months, but hopefully until I am at my goal weight.

[Shotputqueen 44]

I'm still pre-op, but they want me to abstain forever.

[Teamme2023_ 2]

I was told by my surgery team to not drink at all. Due to the increased risk of ulcers, transfer addiction & alcoholism.