Alcohol post-op?

[Lance 0]

So I'm having my surgery in around 4 months or so. No set date yet. I used to drink a lot on the weekends, but I quit that so I can lose weight. I probably won't be drinking after surgery until I lose the weight I want to lose. So, can you drink when you've had the surgery?

[btrieger 21]

Simple answer; yes.

If we could not do the things that we enjoy, including drinking alcohol following surgery; many of us would not have even considered surgery.

I've cut it down quite a bit and only drink every 2 or 3 weeks but I enjoy it and it has not interfered with my weight loss.

[vlp1968 83]

You have to factor in the calories. Drinking is lots of calories. To have a healthy diet, I wouldn't do it to often. I think you will find what works for you. Rememeber, no carbonation, so that means no beer. Best wishes!

[Humming Bird 275]

You have youth on your side. The weight will come off.

Beer may give you some trouble depending on how tight your restriction gets. A drink every once in awhile won't hurt you but it is high calorie and may slow the weightloss for you. If you only have one drink on special occasions and stay away from being a heavy drinker, your life will turn out better in the long run.

You are so young and have so much life ahead of you. I think you have a bright future and it is great you are getting rid of the excess weight so young. Drinking heavy messes with your liver over the years anyway.

You can find other ways to have fun and keep the alcohol consumption down. Good luck on your life journey !

[lauragshsu 6]

Yes, you can, but also keep in mind that alcohol will affect you much more instensely post op. My surgeon said one glass will hit you as much as 3-4 glasses. Heck, I got tipsy on a dose of Nyquil post op. Good times.

[bambam31 168]

Simple answer; yes.

If we could not do the things that we enjoy, including drinking alcohol following surgery; many of us would not have even considered surgery.

I've cut it down quite a bit and only drink every 2 or 3 weeks but I enjoy it and it has not interfered with my weight loss.

If your surgeon allows carbonation (many do) and if you tolerate it, beer is still on the menu too. Drinking beer slowly gives me no problems. :sad:

Yes, you can, but also keep in mind that alcohol will affect you much more instensely post op. My surgeon said one glass will hit you as much as 3-4 glasses. Heck, I got tipsy on a dose of Nyquil post op. Good times.

OK someone needs to explain this to me.... There are no plumbing changes with the band and when properly adjusted, liquids go straight through the band, so how would alcohol have any different metabolic properties?

Brad

[lauragshsu 6]

[OK someone needs to explain this to me.... There are no plumbing changes with the band and when properly adjusted, liquids go straight through the band, so how would alcohol have any different metabolic properties?

Brad

Beats the heck out of me. All I know is after a normal dosage of nyquil there was a party going on in my head. :sad:

[lauragshsu 6]

Here's an article on alcohol and WLS, but it talks about gastric bypass.

People Get Drunk Faster After Bariatric Surgery, New Study

[lauragshsu 6]

here's a snippet from another article on the same study:

"Morton said the obesity surgery patients don’t produce as much of an enzyme that breaks down alcohol because their stomachs are smaller. Also, the alcohol passes to their small intestine faster, speeding up absorption, he said."

Again, referring to bypass. Not sure if the same applies for bandsters.

[bambam31 168]

here's a snippet from another article on the same study:

"Morton said the obesity surgery patients don’t produce as much of an enzyme that breaks down alcohol because their stomachs are smaller. Also, the alcohol passes to their small intestine faster, speeding up absorption, he said."

Again, referring to bypass. Not sure if the same applies for bandsters.

That literature is for gastric bypass patients, who, unlike band patients, do have different absorbative properties. Our stomachs aren't any smaller and alcohol should not metabolize any different.

Brad

Edited July 16, 2010 by bambam31

[kellyjoiii 19]

In my opinion (totally my opinion) I think that the affect is felt more because of the deficit of food calories we consume. I don't think that the effect is felt because of metabolizing or anything else but the lack of food. Before my surgery if I barely ate (and anyone can contest to this) my buzz was MUCH faster than if I ate before going out. I will say that my alcohol consumption has cut down ALOT...and it does only take a small amount of alcohol to get me tipsy. I have to watch it, I will be stumbling drunk by the second drink (I drink liquor not beer).

[kellyodoran 12]

at 18 you shouldn't be drinking anyway!

[kellyjoiii 19]

Shoot, I didn't even catch that! I agree completely!

[lauragshsu 6]

I saw the age but assumed she was from a country where it's legal to drink at 18.

[Lance 0]

Thanks for the input guys. And no, its illegal for me to drink in Texas lol. They way I see it, as long as I'm not driving or drinking TOO much no harm done.