Occasional Mixed Drink?

[Chris1971 1]

Just curious about alcoholic drinks and how long after surgery before having one. I know beer is out because of the carbonation but I was wondering about other alcohol.

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[blizair09 3,250]

I abstained from alcohol for a total of 9 months (my entire six month pre-op diet program and the first 3 months post-op). I had some drinks during a 3.5 week trip to SE Asia in late December (3 months post-op for me). I, of course, stayed away from anything with sugar. I mostly had a few whiskey and Water drinks and some red wine. On those days, I had mostly Protein shakes to minimize calories and carbs but to still meet my Protein goals.

It certainly isn't going to be a regular thing for me, but from time to time, it isn't going to hurt my progress. I lost 13 pounds on that trip, even with the drinks. (Just drinking Protein Shakes all day on days that I will have some alcohol sucks, but I definitely think that plays a role in making the whole thing work.)

You'll get a lot of different replies to this question quite likely. Many people think you should abstain until maintenance. My advice is to talk to your medical team, get their advice, and make a well-informed decision. That's what I did.

Good luck.

[Chris1971 1]

Thank you blizair09

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[triplethreat 257]

Every plan is different. My surgeon allows me to have alcohol. I can't drink red wine anymore (which I used to love) because it burns going down. I can drink something with rum or vodka but tequila makes me sick (which I also used to like). If you are going to drink alcohol be sure it's in your caloric budget for the day and that you are prepared to feel the effect of alcohol much sooner. I seldom drink now because I can drunk so easily and because I usually don't feel like I want to drink my calories for the day.

I know many people will write and say never to drink, but again, every surgeon's plan is different.

[Chris1971 1]

Every plan is different. My surgeon allows me to have alcohol. I can't drink red wine anymore (which I used to love) because it burns going down. I can drink something with rum or vodka but tequila makes me sick (which I also used to like). If you are going to drink alcohol be sure it's in your caloric budget for the day and that you are prepared to feel the effect of alcohol much sooner. I seldom drink now because I can drunk so easily and because I usually don't feel like I want to drink my calories for the day.

I know many people will write and say never to drink, but again, every surgeon's plan is different.

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[twin85 6]

I had a drink last Saturday and was sleeved on Jan 6. I had two shots.. was fine.. but I don't recommend going outside of surgeons recommendations.

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[LIA-70 136]

My plan only said no alcohol for 30 days, after that keep drinks to a minimum as 1 drink could intoxocate you after the surgery. We shall see. Im counting down the days. Lol. One place i go puts u on ur a$$ with just 2 margaritas :-) n im not a lightweight.

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[dyemond11 43]

My surgeon told me 1 year, my nutritionist said never.

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[UalreadyKnow 843]

I can't get a buzz anymore!! I never drank much, so anything would give me a buzz. Now it's the opposite!So since I can't get tipsy I might as well not waste calories or carbs

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Edited January 26, 2017 by UalreadyKnow

[juan110 87]

When i have a drink it usually crown royal apple with apple juice

juan phone

[jen31378 4]

My NUT and surgeon both said I was fine to have a few sips of wine at Christmas time and I was sleeved 12/6/16. Now I'll have a small glass or two several nights a week, but it hasn't hampered my weight loss and I take the calories and carbs into consideration.

[jen31378 4]

I'd say if you're going the mixed drink route make sure your mixer is low/no cal/carb. Diet juice, seltzer, Crystal Light (awesome mixer, used it while on Weight Watchers), etc.

My NUT and surgeon both said I was fine to have a few sips of wine at Christmas time and I was sleeved 12/6/16. Now I'll have a small glass or two several nights a week, but it hasn't hampered my weight loss and I take the calories and carbs into consideration.

[Cape Crooner 589]

I stopped for 5 weeks before surgery and 10 weeks after then went easy. I was down about about 55 when I started up again and continued to lose at the same rate until dropping a total of about 95 lbs.

My advice would be:

1. Count the calories in the alcohol. Distilled alcohol like vodka is 64 calories/ounce. There are plenty of sugary drinks out there that are over 300 calories each.

2. Drink plenty of Water and take an extra antacid.

3. Plan EXACTLY what you'll eat when you drink and the day after and stick to it. My problem wasn't so much the calories in alcohol, but rather the bad food choices that followed.

I'm not going to argue with those who preach abstinence, but I know that's not me. The world is full of skinny people who drink alcohol every day. Study what they do and eat and create your own strategy for weight maintenance. Log and weigh yourself ever day and if things get off track, correct!

Edited January 26, 2017 by Cape Crooner

[Lucky2Lose 184]

My surgical team said 1 year for me.

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[hayleyf3706 150]

This is something I plan to ask at my second follow up in February!

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