Alcohol consumption after gastric bypass

gaining_while_losing

Just wondering for those who've had gastric bypass - have you drank alcohol since your surgery? If so, how much, what type, and how long after surgery was it? I was 8 weeks post-op yesterday and I've seen quite of bit of contradicting recommendations on the internet, as well as from my doctor's office...so I was just curious about what others' experiences have been. And no worries - I don't plan on going out and drinking any time soon - but at some point down the road I would like have a glass of wine.

- Michelle

AngryViking1970

I had wine at my anniversary dinner, which was 6 weeks after surgery. No problems.

ac7nj

I had wine at 5 weeks and quit half way through the second glass, because I could feel it. This topic has been discussed before in these lists. Most everyone had the same problem I did, quicker reaction to the alcohol. I'm 9 months out now but haven't tried it again.

Randy

CEK0220

I don't drink very often (maybe once or twice a year) and haven't even thought about it since surgery. Will be interesting to see what other responses are.

PaulaKro

I'm not a big drinker either, so it isn't an issue for me.

I know one person, however, who got violently ill after drinking (she was a few months out at the time).

And a couple of people left my support group after gaining a lot of their weight back. They needed to have alcohol so badly that they couldn't stay away from the empty calories.

Anybody who is eating a restricted diet should use their calories for nutritious food. Drinking empty calories will either add too many calories - or won't leave room for nutritious food.

If someone can't wait to have something they don't need (alcohol, sweets, whatever), it's a red flag, and a sign that they have a challenge. But we are here because we are warriors. We can win this fight.

LunaGuido

Thanks for asking this, Michelle! I was wondering, too. My doc said not to drink for a year, but I might try something over the summer - we always have a house party in August. I don't drink much, but I do like to go wine tasting with my husband. It was a little awkward this week because I started my new job at a theatre company and they had a little cocktail reception for me in the theatre bar my first day. Instead of a nice glass of wine, I had water - haha! I just explained I had surgery recently and couldn't have alcohol for a while. I agree with Paula about the empty calories, but it IS nice to have a glass of wine now and then. Part of my job is socializing with potential donors so I have to plan what to do at cocktail parties and at lunches/dinners.

ruqayyahsmum

I had half a glass of wine in october (10 months out) and nearly fell into the tv i felt so dizzy. Not bothered since

blairmundy

My husband (a sleever) started occasionally drinking a little about 4 months out. At 10 months out he went to a bar, had a few drinks over a long period of time (normal) and then did a shot (dumb). He blacked out and cracked his head on the curb like 2 minutes after that. Moral of the story - never do a shot! Take it slow. And if you feel weird, sit down.

tat2cookie

I'm a sleever, but I've had a few drinks here and there. Usually it will take me almost an hour to drink a glass of wine or a beer. And one is always enough.

cabennett99

I got conflicting advice as well, my doctor said wait a year, and better to never drink at all; his staff was less rigid, saying an occasional glass of wine on special occasions 6+ months post op would be ok. The enzymes that break down alcohol are in the stomach, so bypass patients no longer get much if any of that - so I think there could be some danger if you over did it. I'm 6 months post GBP, and out of curiosity more than anything I've experimented - I've had a glass of wine and a bourban on the rocks (not at the same time!). I'm definitely a cheap drunk now, feeling it much, much faster (like immediately). I wouldn't drive after even one drink, and I'd drink it slowly. I probably won't make a habit of it, for many of the reasons others have cited. I've worked hard to overcome eating empty calories, and to be more healthy in general. It's like fast food and desert, I just don't want to go back there. So sure, I have the freedom to drink, recognizing moderation is a much lower threshold than before, but it'll be the exception for me, not the norm.

JamesAztec

I never asked my dr this question because I don't drink. The friends I have that have also had the surgery waited at least 3 months. I think the consensus is the occasional drink won't hurt but try to limit alcohol consumption as much as possible.