Wine

[lrh 0]

I didn't reply to your original inquiry, mainly because I think what one person does is that person's business, no one else's. I hope the wine you enjoyed was all you wanted it to be. And good for you for standing your ground.

I did want to point out something that's new for me since surgery:

I was never able to drink wine. I'm one of those people who has that immediate reaction to drinking a sip of wine, where I could feel it burn as it slid down my throat, and by the time it hit my stomach, it had turned to acid. I'd have huge reflux issues from the wine, to the point that drinking wine just was something I didn't expect I'd ever do. Not that I'm much of a drinker anyway, but it always bugged me that whenever we'd go out with friends, or someone would crack open a bottle of wine at a dinner party, I had to sit out, because it made me ill to drink any.

Well, fast forward to my surgery last month. The surgeon did an Endoscopy a few weeks prior to surgery, and he discovered I had a hiatal hernia. They put me on Prilosec OTC till surgery, and they repaired the hiatal hernia while putting in the band. I've had ZERO reflux or indigestion issues since surgery. As I've experimented with eating after surgery, absolutely nothing I've eaten has given me any kind of acid stomach, reflux, or whatever. It's like that switch is turned off.

So then, (the point of ths long tale), last night we went to the after-the-holidays Holiday Party for my spouse's work. Big fancy catered dinner and entertainment thing for several hundred people - your basic fancy, dress-up affair. I ate smart, and was fine that way, but when asked what I wanted to drink, I was a bit perplexed. I knew I didn't want anything caffeinated or carbonated, I didn't want to have any kind of mixed drink, and about all that was left to me was a glass of wine. I figured "What the heck?" and ordered a glass of white wine to have on the table. I already had a glass of Water, just in case.

The wine went down without so much as a burp. No reflux, no acid stomach, and I was able to enjoy it enough to realize it was terrible wine, and I quit after about three sips. (Nasty stuff!) But the victory was mine - I can apparently now drink wine, which is a backhanded NSV of ever there was one. LOL!

Dave

Congrats from one wine drinker to anther.

[AlienBandit 10]

Wow, what a difference in responses here.

For me personally I am not a big wine drinker but had a few sips 7 days post op my band. I am still here, alive and successful in my weight loss. My doc did say it was ok so thats all that mattered to me.

[Jachut 487]

I've been a regular speaking at my surgeon's information nights and he has mentioned several times - their practice's statistics (the book The Lap Band Solution is written by the head of this practice)show that moderate wine drinkers lose more weight than complete teetotallers. He's never offered an explanation for this, it just is. Moderate wine consumption may confer some health benefits, there's plenty of evidence for that. yes, its empty calories, and it needs to be kept to a minimum when weight loss is the goal, but its not gonna kill you.

I dont know that I'd indulge four days post op, cant imagine feeling like it, but if its just the odd glass, I reckon enjoy it and good luck to those who are so high and mighty that they think they'll NEVER indulge in anything off their plans. Its a long way to fall from up their in your tower.

[CTMom 6]

Wow, I can't believe the venom of some of the commenters on here! I hope you enjoyed your glass of wine. I was banded this past Monday and enjoyed one glass of red wine six days post-op. And guess what? The sky didn't cave in, I didn't go to hell and my band didn't fall off.

On the contrary, I have worked out every day, feel pretty darn good, and have lost a total of 13 pounds in two weeks (over 15% of the weight I need to lose!)

I think as far as wine goes, moderation is key.

[mom2amwt 3]

I guess my first mistake re the wine was posting my original question about it! I guess I was going to do whatever I wanted too anyway - but maybe I was looking for affirmation?? I know lots of people will disagree with things that I do or say - I just need to get comfortable with that. Makes life interesting in the end .

Thanks all for the great responses!

I still feel great - post wine . The one really positive for me was that I enjoyed one glass of wine and I sipped in slowly. I am also super happy to know that it didn't cause me any heart burn or discomfort!! Pre-band I was a fast fast drinker and because of that one glass really never did the trick. Not worth it for me right now to have "one a day", but I will be enjoying my wine in the future!

CT Mom - Congrats on your weight loss - that is so awesome!

Dave - I had a hiatal hernia too - and the dr. said it was really big??! I haven't noticed any big difference, but I am really really glad that I am not sitting around with my stomach hanging out of my diaphram any more !! Maybe if you have a few more sips of some good wine - you'll grow to like it!

Jachut - I have been looking for more stuff to read! thx

[jingleboob 5]

alcohol is pretty harsh on your stomach under the best of circumstances... your stomach is healing right now. Wait a bit... it's not worth the chance of damage for a glass. I'm 5 months out and did add wine to my "diet" about 2 months post op... just a glass or two, but I do avoid it for the week after a fill for those same reasons.

My major alcohol bummer is Champagne... I heart it, and the carbonation means it's a big bad no now. Wine just makes me miss it more....

[stateofzen 46]

I drink red wine at least 2x a week. My loss is going just fine.

[JGDH 0]

LOVE CTMOM'S RESPONSE..LOL!! THE SKY DIDNT CAVE IN

[Dave_NW 92]

Dave - I had a hiatal hernia too - and the dr. said it was really big??! I haven't noticed any big difference, but I am really really glad that I am not sitting around with my stomach hanging out of my diaphram any more !! Maybe if you have a few more sips of some good wine - you'll grow to like it!

LOL! Oh, it wasn't my taste buds - they were working just right. Everyone at the table who had the same wine agreed it was awful. So at least that part of my system reacted normally. I'm actually looking forward to being able to enjoy a glass of wine with friends. Having never been able to do it, and living with someone who really loves a good glass of wine, I figure it'll be a bonding thing later on. For years I've bought fancy-schmancy bottles of wine as birthday and Christmas gifts - even bought a high-falutin' wine refrigerator one year. Now I'll finally be able to join in the process. I hope...

They didn't talk about anything specific to my hiatal hernia, other than to say I had one that needed repairing. They brought in a specialist surgeon for my banding surgery so he could repair that one, as well as repair the ventral hernia I also had. I figured as long as they were under the hood, they may as well do a full tune up. Where most bandsters end up with five or six incision sites, I have thirteen. Yikes! My stomach looks like I got hit with buckshot.

My first fill is later today. I'm down 51 pounds so far, and I'm excited as hell about the way things are going. Does it show?

Dave

[Lilika 0]

Thanks Mkrupa - Appreciate the post. I'm kinda where you are in terms of it not being part of post op. However - I honestly don't feel like it would hurt either my weight loss or my band - but that said - my body feels a little to fragile to have a glass of wine.

Fluffy - Really?? Is that your idea of support? Ultimately I will incorporate wine into my weight loss and I expect my surgeon (as great as he is) to be supportive of that. My view is that if you build a sustainable happy place for yourself with food and the band (even some alcohol) that you will be more successful in the long run. I was half joking about having it now - but wasn't looking for a preacher....

LOL

[BJLS 0]

Hi,

I am really surprised that so many people think it is a strange question and really would be put off if I were you by some of the responses. I don't think they were very helpful.

Wine at dinner has always been an important part of our routine and I was wondering when I would be able to have some too. The literature I read (and my doctor concurred) said that a group who had wine with dinner did better at their weight loss than those who didn't! My doctor also said it would be fine. I don't mean to drink a lot but just to have a glass occasionally. I can understand why you would want to know and encourage you to find your own comfort zone regarding wine.

Good luck with your weight loss. Mine is going fine at one week post-op. I have lost 16 pounds since starting the pre-op diet so I'm pretty pleased.. Hope it continues.

Barbara

Thanks Mkrupa - Appreciate the post. I'm kinda where you are in terms of it not being part of post op. However - I honestly don't feel like it would hurt either my weight loss or my band - but that said - my body feels a little to fragile to have a glass of wine.

Fluffy - Really?? Is that your idea of support? Ultimately I will incorporate wine into my weight loss and I expect my surgeon (as great as he is) to be supportive of that. My view is that if you build a sustainable happy place for yourself with food and the band (even some alcohol) that you will be more successful in the long run. I was half joking about having it now - but wasn't looking for a preacher....

[dcowens 2]

This is a little off topic, but I had a hiatal hernia, too. I'm 20 years old and was banded 3 days ago. I could not have been more shocked to have had a hernia. I didn't even know what a hernia was! I don't feel any difference, and I wasn't very reflux-y before, but I'm glad it was fixed. Just the sound of having my stomach hanging out of my diaphram makes me a little sick. Haha. My 21st birthday is in March and by then I will be able to have solids. I plan on taking a trip to Las Vegas to go to the Olive Garden and go to my first club. =) I will be ordering a glass of wine with dinner and I'm excited although it's a ways away.