Search the Community

I'm killing it, body fat down below 10 percent, I'm working out at least 4 times a week, am lean and strong. But I've found solace in whiskey. I drink it neat, no mixers. I don't drink during the day, but need to quiet my mind. Good quality whiskey does that, after 35 + years of total sobriety. I'm in Texas, so pot is largely illegal- and the illicit vapes make me paranoid. Crazy thing is I don't wake up with a hang over- I take Pharma sleep meds but am careful about the combo. I did talk to one guy who lost a crazy amount of weight through surgery and told me that heavy alcohol consumption is not uncommon. I was not fixated on food before surgery, but gained a lot during Covid sitting on my ass without serious exercise. I'm now working hard at the gym with a good trainer, and the results have been impressive. But the alcohol is an issue. I don't drive or go out when I drink, I'm home. I'm a high functioning boozer, but still. I hate being dependent on any substance, but I need to turn down the noise in my head. There are some legal CBD outlets in Texas which I can explore. I know the volume of whiskey I'm consuming is not necessary good for long life, but it definitely chills me out. Would love input from others who have had the same experience. Physically I'm in amazing shape, and generally, my mental attitude is quite positive. TIA!

I share this story in hopes that it may help someone to never pick up a drink after VSG or to at least be hyper-vigilant about the dangers of drinking post weight loss surgery. I was sleeved in August of 2015 @ 310 lbs. Quickly lost most of the weight needed and began running 5k. Not really setting the world on fire, but it was really good for me. Prior to surgery, I had always enjoyed drinking with friends. Typical guy stuff - couple beers @ a football game or watching the game on Sunday, meeting for drinks after work, etc. Never an issue or problem. Never anything that i had to have. My doctor warned me against alcohol, sodas, and transfer addictions, but I thought "never me". WOW, was I wrong. I remember the first couple times I had a beer after the surgery (I waited 6 months), it was very fizzy and uncomfortable. I convinced myself that it would get easier, and unfortunately it did. Next came the rum and coke zero. Wow, that tastes great, and I get a buzz very quickly. That fast buzz turned into getting very drunk, very quickly. Our new bodies absorb the alcohol in 1/2 the time that a normal internal system would. Over the last couple yeaars there have been many episodes of drinking way to much, blacking out, and not remembering what happened. I have had to apologize for my behavior more than once after a night of drinking. I even started drinking every day. I would make a drink as soon as I got home each day. 1 turns into 2 or 3. Just like lays potato chips you can not have just 1. Alcohol consumed my every thought. When can I have a drink? How can I make sure I can get a drink? It amazed me how I was able to justify that if creamer was good in my morning coffee, how great would Rumchatta be (it's damn good, by the way). I am living proof that transfer addiction is a real thing. I am now in counseling for my alcohol addiction. Transfer addiction is definitely a real thing. Prior to VSG surgery I was over 300 pounds because I had an addiction to food, and all the wrong kinds of food. My new addiction is alcohol and it's best friend is food addiction. what goes with beer = chicken wings, or nuts and pretzels, what goes with a margarita = tacos, etc. Alcohol also makes it impossible to lose weight. So if you are really dedicated to clean eating but you drink, your weight may stay the same, but it surely will not go down. I have packed on 60 lbs of the 120 that I lost. And, I am slowly changing behaviors to get back to where I want to be. It is a journey,, but I am worth it. I will overcome. Addiction is sacrificing everything for that one thing ! Recovery is sacrificing that 1 thing to have everything !

Hi I am 5 months into my journey after a bypass. I'm having a few issues but doing ok. I was wondering why alcohol isn't allowed for 12 months? Does it damage your new pouch or is it normal health advice? Can anyone shed any light on this please? Thanks 👍

Can we have alcohol during the liquid diet phase. I don't need a lecture, I'm just curious. My 1-week starts Friday.

does anyone know how long after surgery you can drink alcohol? i am on a full fluids stage at the moment. i have never been told that i can not drink in this stage, nor when i can resume drinking post-op. anyone have any idea?

I have not had the band done yet..... hopefully in Dec once insurance approves :smile2: But im wondering and afraid my social life will be ruined. Im only 22 so im still in the bar/club stage and is wondering how I will be able to have a cocktail or two? Does anyone still drink beer or mixed drinks? Can you even drink any of that? Does your band restrict it? I am looking forward to going to the bars/clubs in a sexy outfit tho It won't take me hours of trying to feel comfortable in jeans and a black shirt (to make me look slimmer) cant wait :mad:

So I'm not going to beat around the bush! I like my liquor, I have probably about 5 drinks a week. When I had my surgery I told my surgeon that I like my rum n cokes. He told me obviously not to drink them often but if I really want on every once in a while to drink them with flat Coke, at first I though, well that sounds nasty but after my first one I thought, it's not bad. But then I started to like them, after a while I got where every day id get home and drink them as a stress reliever. But now, obviously in having issues and I'm not sure if it's alcohol related or not. I need some advice, I don't want to quit drinking entirely because I do use it as a stress reliever because my job is VERY intense but am I ruining my stomach? That is the last thing I want to do.

Hi everyone. So far, so good...3+ months out and just over 48 lbs lost. I feel great and am exercising nearly every day. My question is - I chew a lot of sugar free gum. I also have been having problems with my stomach for the last two weeks or so. I saw where someone else called it "unconstipation". That is a very good way to describe what happens to me. It's several times a day, very nasty and somewhat painful. It just occurred to me in the last few days that it could be from the gum. I've always been sensitive to the sugar alcohol in SF candy, etc., but never really thought about the gum. Is it possible? Any opinions? Thanks! Stephanie

When is it ok to have a drink? I'm 10 wks out. I know every dr has their own opinions . What do you think? How have you done, if you've had it?

I have noticed when I am very tight if I have a drink before dinner it seems to loosen the band a little so the first bites go down a little better. Anybody else think the same way? Terry

How long after surgery before you have a drink?

Ok This Thursday I will be 3 weeks post op. I have a party to go to on Friday night and there will be alcohol served. My doctor says 6 months before having alcohol, but a few people that I know have the band started drinking pretty early on, at least sooner than 6 months out! I'm not worried about calories, I just want to know if anyone had alcohol as soon as 3 weeks post op? Thanks in advance!

Hi everybody! I had a question - it may be silly, but I was just wondering... My surgery is on Monday, and two days ago I had 2 glasses of wine. I didn't even think about the fact that alcohol is a blood thinner. Is there a possibility that this could adversely affect my surgery?? I'm having nightmare visions of me bleeding out on the table or something. HELP!

The other night I had alcohol for the first time since my surgery (very little, yes I'm allowed per my surgeon, no I'm not an alcoholic) And realized I had no idea what the hell to drink. Most drinks have carbonation and extra/excess sugar or are mixed with **** I don't need. What are the best options for a post sleeve patient to drink responsibly? I really don't drink often enough to where it'll be a huge issue, but I figure any opportunity to improve is always a good one. I'm sure there's old threads on this, but I mostly just found ones centered on when/how much rather than drink selection

Hello all, I had my gastric sleeve surgery on November 15th. It has been such an adventure. I use to be a big drinker before surgery. I stopped about a month before and didn't have any cravings. Now I'm starting to have a craving for a drink. I know and completely understand it is empty calories and it's not healthy. I'm not looking to be criticized. I want to know when people have had drinks how it went and how soon it was. Thanks all. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Hello everyone. This is more for the longer post opers. Have any of you tried drinking alcohol? If so, how was it? I like to drink the occasional beer or 2 and want to know what others have experienced. Thanks!! Sent from my LG-D800 using the BariatricPal App

can anybody tell me if they have any problems with alcohol after being banded,and what is the best to drink after op as most alcoholic drinks are fizzy.

what is the scoop with sugar alcohols? are they bad for you? okay in small amounts?

Do I have to stop drinking after the surgery.. I mean forever? I usually like to drink vodka and slimline tonic when I'm gigging, so I have a fair few of those once a week... I do enjoy the occasional drink. I assume that as tonic is carbonated, I will have to find a different mixer, maybe a juice, but I'm keen to know whether I have to give up alcohol altogether?. At gigs I have to admit I do get a little merry every now and then, would be a shame to give it up altogether so I just need to understand what having the sleeve means in terms of alcohol consumption post surgery? Thanks.

I am only 8 weeks out from surgery BUT I am so sick and tired of seeing posts (I have stopped reading them) about "when can I have alcohol?". For me, this is the farthest thing from my mind. I have yet to hit my calorie goal of 700 and some days don't get all of my Protein and Water in. So it baffles me that people so early out are worried about the alcohol. I do realize that this is a public forum and everyone has their right to post whatever topic they choose. It certainly seems like there have been a ton of them this week. Now I will get over it.