Drinking alcohol post-op, your experiences?

[PlzCoolerMe 23]

I am 31 years old and have basically done whatever I wanted (within reason) whenever I wanted since mid-college. I'm self-employed in the financial industry so I have been able to take off on a vacation, golf, or whatever reasonably easy (since I didn't have to ask my employer first.) This do whatever, whenever is partly why I'm in the shape I'm in, I love to eat... and eat good.

One of the things that I'm most worried about is the possibility that I won't be able to drink carbonated beverages such as beer or things that mix with alcohol after surgery. I'm not an alcoholic by any means, but, I have a lot of fun. And drinking on the golf course or during a cocktail hour in business settings has been a big part of my life over the past 10 years. Not to mention, most of my friends like to kick back and drink on the weekends.

I'm confused because I have read many things that a lot of folks aren't able to handle alcohol or drink carbonated beverages at all... Yet, I have a good friend who had the surgery and in some ways, I wouldn't hardly notice a difference in his eating/drinking unless he had told me. He still drinks a few beers, drinks a ton of wine, and some mixes and seems to be fine. The main area I can see a difference is that he seems to get drunker quicker.

What are your experiences? What is the norm? Is it just that this surgery affects everyone differently? I mean, I am obviously willing to give up some of this for my health for my family... But, I'm just trying to figure out what to expect. Any input is appreciated. Oh, and my surgery is scheduled for this coming Monday. Thanks.

[LainieG 132]

I have not been sleeved yet, but carbonated beverages are banned for life. A friend of mine does drink diet coke, but only after leaving it open and the carbonation released. Not something I would try, not too tasty. You Dr should have told you this, talk to him about your concern.

[PlzCoolerMe 23]

I have not been sleeved yet, but carbonated beverages are banned for life. A friend of mine does drink diet coke, but only after leaving it open and the carbonation released. Not something I would try, not too tasty. You Dr should have told you this, talk to him about your concern.

I know that's how it's supposed to be, but, again... I physically see my friend who has had the operation doing it, as well as reading a few other posts from other people saying they have an occasional beer or three as well. What dictates whether your able to handle it? Is it just pure luck? Or if you drank a lot in past, are you more likely to be able to handle it after sleeve? Again, I don't know, just asking.

[sdarst52 3]

I am 3 weeks post surgery and know that diet coke/ wine/ beer is out of the question for me forever. Funny thing is, I haven't missed it at all. My taste buds have been altered and the only thing that tastes ok is Water and un-sweet tea. Even I am surprised that I don't miss it. Since you asked, and this is only my opinion, dont sell your self short. You can have a great time enjoying the new you without alcohol. I frequently enjoyed wine in the evenings and certainly at outings and social events before my surgery. What I have read in several reports, is the incidence of alcoholism rises significantly after bariatric surgery. Obviously, I have eating issues; I have just undergone VSG. If I cant eat, I don't want to replace one issue with another. May I remind you, that you are a lot of fun and have many friends who want to hang out with you! They will see you looking better every month and will encourage you to let the part of your past go that led to your weight issues. You can do this! Good luck to you.

I know that's how it's supposed to be, but, again... I physically see my friend who has had the operation doing it, as well as reading a few other posts from other people saying they have an occasional beer or three as well. What dictates whether your able to handle it? Is it just pure luck? Or if you drank a lot in past, are you more likely to be able to handle it after sleeve? Again, I don't know, just asking.

[VSGAnn2014 12,992]

This is just my personal opinion -- having several nephews who suffer from these issues. (I also was a young person one time. )

Many young people who "just drink with my friends when we go out" have literally no idea that they have a serious drinking problem. In fact, some of them are alcoholics.

The problem is they have little context for what is happening. Everyone in their social set drinks like a fish,and there's literally no appreciation for what social drinking actually is. For the record, social drinking means having 3-5 drinks a week. It's not 2-4 drinks 4 nights a week and 8-12 drinks the other 3 nights of the week. Social drinking does not include getting drunk. Ever.

Now, having gotten that off my chest, if your friend drinks a few beers, a ton of wine and some mixed drinks ... bazinga! He's going to gain back all the weight he has lost.

Bottom line -- yes, after a while (a year or two) anyone who wants to can eat and drink around their sleeve's restriction. In fact, that's precisely HOW 40 - 50% of all patients who have WLS eventually gain back all their weight.

Sincere best wishes to you. Your long-term success with the tool your sleeve offers you depends on your ability to be compliant with your surgeon's instructions and to change your lifestyle -- eating, exercise, and probably some serious "head work" that most people who are obese have to tackle eventually.

[merryKerry 44]

I am 3 weeks post surgery and know that diet coke/ wine/ beer is out of the question for me forever. Funny thing is, I haven't missed it at all. My taste buds have been altered and the only thing that tastes ok is Water and un-sweet tea. Even I am surprised that I don't miss it. Since you asked, and this is only my opinion, dont sell your self short. You can have a great time enjoying the new you without alcohol. I frequently enjoyed wine in the evenings and certainly at outings and social events before my surgery. What I have read in several reports, is the incidence of alcoholism rises significantly after bariatric surgery. Obviously, I have eating issues; I have just undergone VSG. If I cant eat, I don't want to replace one issue with another. May I remind you, that you are a lot of fun and have many friends who want to hang out with you! They will see you looking better every month and will encourage you to let the part of your past go that led to your weight issues. You can do this! Good luck to you.

I know that's how it's supposed to be, but, again... I physically see my friend who has had the operation doing it, as well as reading a few other posts from other people saying they have an occasional beer or three as well. What dictates whether your able to handle it? Is it just pure luck? Or if you drank a lot in past, are you more likely to be able to handle it after sleeve? Again, I don't know, just asking.

[Darianna75 131]

I'm almost 6 months post sleeve. I have had a glass of wine and it pretty much made me very buzzed, it took me a long time to drink that 1 glass too as sweet things taste very strong to me since surgery. As for carbonation.. I tried a sip of soda and I felt like I was going pop and it hurt bad.. Again my experience , I have a sleeve friend who drinks diet soda and has no issue. But for me it's a def no . If I I wanted get a drink in public I would get it with cranberry juice.

[merryKerry 44]

Hi, although I have the band 28/08/13,

I read that your not supposed to drink carbonated drinks and I asked about this ( also about 'do you have to relax your band before flying - you don't) and I was advised that originally it was a big No No as it is thought that the bubbles could end up stretching your stomach pouch or become uncomfortable if the air gets stuck but the jury is now stuck on the stretching bit but yes the air can become trapped ( which can hurt lol).

I personally have never really been a fizzy drinker but have on a few occasions had b couple of mouth full off pop on a hot day and can honestly say I now don't bother to drink fizzy as it does get stuck lol so I suppose it's how you tolerate it. I don't drink alcohol anymore as it now gives me hart burn and I have now learnt it's much more fun when you don't have the hangover the morning after.

The question about your friend doesn't seem to be able to hold his drink so well now will be down to several factors, he isn't eating as much - think about when you go out with out eating = a cheap date.

Also, he would of been used to drinking a lot as his body with all the extra size would of been soaked up as well as a fatty and swollen liver that's used to the excesses in life would of been able to deal with braking the alcohol down better, now he has very little fat, his lives would of shrunk and not be able to process as quickly.

Im sorry if I have rambled, but hope I might of been able to help. Good luck with your decision, I have lost 61/2 stone or 31 kilo in under a year and now only have 2 more stone to go and you can do it too

[gottagonow 82]

Not all doctors agree on the carbonation bit. I did a ton of research and even found a doc on youtube discussing it. I think it's a personal decision. I decided that I wasn't really a beer drinker or soda drinker anyway, so why bother. I do like seltzer Water, but with the conflicting opinions, well I'm conflicted!

I drink on occasion without juice/caloric drinks. I don't get tipsy quicker and I account for the calories. Since I don't notice a difference I don't drink that much b/c I'd rather use those calories on food.

I just think that we all have different experiences and it gets real preachy on here. Surgeons, people, everything varies. You have to do your research (boards are one spot) and make personal decisions.

Edited July 30, 2014 by storytotell

[maxcimax 220]

If you are putting yourself thru WLS why would you be worried about drinking? Are you having this surgery for the right reasons? If you can't give up alcohol then maybe you should reconsider the surgery. Having a drink once in awhile is one thing but several drinks several times a week is another matter. You don't have to drink to have a good time.

Good luck on your WLS journey. It will be worth it. It is also a lifetime commitment.

[newforyou 1]

I was so damn thirsty and out of Water I had some soda when I was 1 week post op, and was totally fine!! I've had sips of sparkling Water and sodas here and there and It goes down like wata! I think beer would be fine but might take you a while to get used to again because of the foam . Everyone is different so I wouldn't count on other peoples experiences to be your own. But In my experience it's been fine, I've had no nausea or vomiting or taste change since surgery and never had high blood pressure or acid reflux or diabetes. I guess take a look at your own stats and maybe you'll guess how your body will react, if not well your surgery is right round the corner so you'll know sooner than later lol

Plus I always hear about people after surgery who trade one addiction for another and become alcoholics, well that makes me think that drinking is possible after the surgery. Just be careful, I have to tell you that for me right now at 3 weeks post op, your brain is going to hurt and not being able to eat is going to start to wear on you so I can see how it's easy to pick up drinking to cope.

I'm 30 as well.

Gooooood luck!!!

[PlzCoolerMe 23]

Thanks to everyone for replies... I have to say that it seems some of the responses are a little preachy... Sounded like it was coming exactly from my psychiatrist lady lol. Maybe I should have expected that. But, I really appreciate those that are touching on the actual point of my question "What have your experiences been?"

From the limited number of replies, it kind of seems like those who have wanted to keep their social lives the same (as far as cocktail hours, etc.) are able to. Those who chose not to drink much in the first place are still not drinking and have a better reason not to.

As I said before, it's nothing I would consider canceling my surgery for. I just wanted an idea of what to expect from those who have already been there. The other thing I found interesting is that unless I missed one, it's been ALL females who've commented. I'd be interested to hear some males perspectives as well. (But, keep on commenting girls!)

[kd5wzr 108]

Dude here. There's a thread in the guys' forum about this topic as well. The consensus opinion I've found on this is that you can drink anything you want if you can handle it, but don't expect to lose as much weight that way.

I fully intend to have a couple fingers of bourbon every now and then after my surgery. Maybe even a cigar. What's the point of adding 20 years to my life if I can't enjoy it?

[Antonia_megan 13]

I drink on the weeknds and was sleeved 5/12/14. I did notice that if I had a glass of wine during the week that would put me at a stall, so now I sometimes just drink on a friday or saturday. To me to each is own!! Good luck

[jess9395 5,449]

Personal experience, no preaching.

I am almost 9 months out. I honestly haven't tried carbonation. I drank WAY too much diet soda to open that door again at this point. I do hope to maybe try a beer again one day, or a hard cider...but since drinking while eating makes me completely ill I probably won't try that for a LONG time. I think it's luck of the draw who can and who can't. Carbonation makes a lot of people ill.

I have has wine (once--about 1/4 glass), margaritas (twice, again about 1/4 glass) and an after dinner liqueur (once--amaretto--about half of a shot glass).

All four times the alcohol hit me VERY fast and hard. Which is why I have only done it twice!