Alcohol 😳

[lori040981 0]

What drinks does everyone order at a bar? Or make at home?

[Guest]

Vodka and soda.

[Knk710 2]

Hi sounds good I thought we weren't allowed to have soda after surgery due to the carbonation. I havent had surgery yet its Monday the 29th.

[Guest]

soda water..... Oh, and you asked a very open ended question 😋 The soda thing varies from Dr to Dr. I am 10 months out and dink it on occasion with no complications. But, everyone's body is different, I would not drink it until you are a few months out in order to let your body heal.

[Suzi_the_Q 257]

My dr told me that alcohol was a serious no-go post op. She literally described it as becoming as addictive as CRACK because of the way the body processes it (post bypass)... was she exaggerating?

[Arabesque 7,414]

The issue for people post surgery is addiction transfer & alcohol is an easy transfer from food.

I enjoyed a glass of something (wine, gin, scotch) every night pre surgery but since my surgery I probably have a glass less than once a month. And then I rarely finish it. I also found that my taste buds have changed & a lot of alcohol tastes too sweet & just plain blah! Have to admit I don’t really miss it.

If I do have something to drink it’s gin & tonic. I drink it very slowly - an hour + for a low ball. Most of the bubbles dissipate quickly which helps with the carbonation issue.

A couple of things to consider: The carbonation fills you quickly & causes issues like discomfort. If you’re drinking, you’re not eating. Alcohol will dehydrate you. Alcohol has no nutritional value.

[ms.sss 15,714]

During weight loss phase, I had the occasional glass of red wine or gin (or vodka) & soda Water with lots of lime.

AFTER weight loss phase, I do drink more, but generally stick to dry red wine or gin/vodka/tequila (less carbs in these). I stay away from sugary mixers, and sugary liqueurs (with the exception of Kahlua...an IMPORTANT ingredient in espresso martinis, lol)

It's also worth noting that post-wls it doesn't take a lot for me to feel the effects of alcohol. One and I'm done. Though I do also sober up very quickly now...

Edited June 25, 2020 by ms.sss

[nursenays 57]

Wine only for me. But let me warn you, you will get buzzed so quickly and my experience is I tend to “black out” if more than one glass. Being home alone for these months has prompted me to drink more out of boredom and I can see it potentially being an issue. My friend had VSG two years ago and is currently in rehab, alcohol is a slippery slope after WLS.

[BayougirlMrsS 3,934]

On 6/24/2020 at 5:18 PM, lori040981 said:

What drinks does everyone order at a bar? Or make at home?

I stick to noncarbonated drinks..... margaritas, wine, martini..... I can only have one as more gets too me.

[BayougirlMrsS 3,934]

On 6/24/2020 at 7:16 PM, Suzi_the_Q said:

My dr told me that alcohol was a serious no-go post op. She literally described it as becoming as addictive as CRACK because of the way the body processes it (post bypass)... was she exaggerating?

well it all depends on the person. there are a lot of people that transfer addiction from food to alcohol, shopping, sex, PS..... I can only talk about the band and sleeve. I have a drink a few nights a week when my husband is home.... when he is not, I don't.

For me it's definitely not Crack.... for some, maybe

[cutlass6521 127]

My experience with alcohol (wine) and the lapband is that I don't feel the effects of the booze immediately. Then like someone flipped the switch and I am bombed, almost passed out (have passed out). I also purchased an alcohol breath testing machine. It takes 3 times as long to the booze to leave my system as my husbands when having the same amount of drinks. The machine will read triple zeros for him and I will have a .045 blood alcohol level. We are wondering with the band is the alcohol residue is staying above the band longer.

[Tony B - NJ 643]

On 6/24/2020 at 9:59 PM, ms.sss said:

During weight loss phase, I had the occasional glass of red wine or gin (or vodka) & soda Water with lots of lime.

AFTER weight loss phase, I do drink more, but generally stick to dry red wine or gin/vodka/tequila (less carbs in these). I stay away from sugary mixers, and sugary liqueurs (with the exception of Kahlua...an IMPORTANT ingredient in espresso martinis, lol)

It's also worth noting that post-wls it doesn't take a lot for me to feel the effects of alcohol. One and I'm done. Though I do also sober up very quickly now...

So another benefit for the wait loss surgery. I will be able to have just one drink and feel the affects without spending more money on booze. Bonus!

[Tony B - NJ 643]

On 8/4/2020 at 12:06 PM, nursenays said:

Wine only for me. But let me warn you, you will get buzzed so quickly and my experience is I tend to “black out” if more than one glass. Being home alone for these months has prompted me to drink more out of boredom and I can see it potentially being an issue. My friend had VSG two years ago and is currently in rehab, alcohol is a slippery slope after WLS.

Not a very encouraging thought.....I certainly want to have some drinks but not at the expense of blacking out....thanks for sharing.

[PomelKatrin 3]

I love non-carbonated drinks, like vodka and juice cocktails. They come in easy, and it's a lot of fun. But I don't advise anyone to drink alcohol because it's a very insidious thing. Alcohol can be called poison. It destroys almost all the organs, but you feel perfect, and you're in a good mood. I've been drinking like that for over a year, and my liver said, "Bye, buddy. It got to the point where I woke up in the hospital with terrible results. I was told either you quit drinking, or you're going to die soon. I'm afraid of death, so the choice was obvious. After I was discharged from the hospital, I wanted a drink and thought about joining Alcoholics Anonymous & Other Mutual Aid Support Groups. It all worked out, and now I've been sober for over a year. It's a small victory for my loved ones and me.

Edited September 5, 2021 by Imodjin

[BayougirlMrsS 3,934]

On 6/24/2020 at 7:16 PM, Suzi_the_Q said:

My dr told me that alcohol was a serious no-go post op. She literally described it as becoming as addictive as CRACK because of the way the body processes it (post bypass)... was she exaggerating?

yes she was........ but.....

Addiction transfer, or cross addiction, after bariatric surgery occurs when individuals trade compulsive eating for other compulsive behaviors. There is also strong evidence of a biological reason for cross addiction.

Studies show various forms of transfer addiction in up to 30 percent of patients who have had bariatric surgery. For these patients, food is no longer being a source of comfort, distraction, reward or escape. Other behaviors or substances now substitute for eating, and can become problematic.

“Process addictions,” such as gambling, shopping and sex addiction can occur, as well as addictions to alcohol and other drug abuse. In some cases, after a period of initial remission, food addiction can reoccur.

I drink, but it's never to an excess and i rarely ever have anything with bubbles in it.