Too close to the ER today (long post)

[BypassTheBS 49]

So today I’m 4 weeks post op RNY by the date.
I passed out today (Saturday) at an outside, pretty physical, 3 mile walk/dancing event.

I’ve frequented this event plenty of times in the past before surgery & while drinking liquor in 82+ degree weather (1-2 years BEFORE surgery)

This is the first time in life I’ve ever passed out.

It was kind of scary when my friend told me I was out for about 3 minutes….

The morning of I had 2 Protein Shakes and hit 80g before heading out. I had plenty LiquidIV supplements to make sure I stayed hydrated but it seems like that contributed to my downfall according to the EMT. I have not and did not consume alcohol while only 4 weeks post op.

But mainly I had no solid food since Friday thinking that i could hit the Protein & just stay hydrated but hell no…

With the physical activity & no carbs to replenish the energy my body was way deprived

so…eat your carbs

Edited June 18, 2023 by BypassTheBS

[Carol97045 1]

Hello this is my first time on here and I couldn’t help but feel that I needed to respond to your message but you shouldn’t be consuming any alcohol at 4 weeks out from surgery or 4 years out from surgery because we don’t absorb alcohol like the average person would since we have had our stomach altered with a bypass procedure

[BypassTheBS 49]

1 hour ago, Carol97045 said:

Hello this is my first time on here and I couldn’t help but feel that I needed to respond to your message but you shouldn’t be consuming any alcohol at 4 weeks out from surgery or 4 years out from surgery because we don’t absorb alcohol like the average person would since we have had our stomach altered with a bypass procedure

I was not consuming alcohol at this event nor have i had alcohol since before my 2 week pre op diet

I mentioned I've consumed alcohol at this event in the past before i thought about having surgery just to give some context on how much things have changed for me now that I’ve had RNY

I’ll make it a little more clear in my OP 😊

[Arabesque 7,213]

You just had a pretty major surgery & are still recovering it’s no wonder you passed out after undertaking what is quite a strenuous activity for you at this time. Though you hit your Protein goal you still are eating very few calories, possibly have some low blood pressure & maybe some hypoglycaemia (sugar drop) as well. Check with your team as to their activity recommendations. Many of us are advised only gentle walking for the first weeks, slowly increasing.

Take things slowly & listen to your body. While you are recovering you can’t do exactly what you did before surgery but you will again soon.

Not being able to drink alcohol after surgery isn’t an absolute no @Carol97045. Sure if your post surgical plan says no alcohol for a period it time, it is best to follow that. But after that there are a few considerations around the consumption of alcohol post surgery. Empty calories & carbs is one. The habit of usually eating high fat, high sugar, high calorie, highly processed food while drinking. How your body & changed digestive system tolerates it & processes it (like feeling the effects more quickly). The most important is the possibility of addiction transfer - from food to alcohol. Does this mean you can never have alcohol again? No. What it means is you have to make your own choices around whether you do or don’t drink & if you chose to drink how much & how often based on those considerations.

I drank while I was losing. Had a gin & tonic at about 8 weeks. Nursed that drink literally for hours & didn’t have another drink for another month or so. Four years out & I still only have a drink maybe once a month & usually only one. I still take a while to drink it or sometimes don’t finish it. My choice. I don’t enjoy it in the same way either. And I used to have a drink every night. And I’m far from being alone in continuing to consume alcohol.

[CarolineLittle 92]

I'm so glad you're okay! It sounds like a fun event!

And yes, alcohol is OK, in moderation and at an appropriate stage. Nothing is a no no after surgery. Life is to be enjoyed and that includes a treat occasionally.

[summerseeker 2,122]

10 hours ago, Carol97045 said:

Hello this is my first time on here and I couldn’t help but feel that I needed to respond to your message but you shouldn’t be consuming any alcohol at 4 weeks out from surgery or 4 years out from surgery because we don’t absorb alcohol like the average person would since we have had our stomach altered with a bypass procedure

It depends on your Surgeon. In Europe it is not a issue if you want to drink sensibly

[BypassTheBS 49]

5 hours ago, Arabesque said:

You just had a pretty major surgery & are still recovering it’s no wonder you passed out after undertaking what is quite a strenuous activity for you at this time. Though you hit your Protein goal you still are eating very few calories, possibly have some low blood pressure & maybe some hypoglycaemia (sugar drop) as well. Check with your team as to their activity recommendations. Many of us are advised only gentle walking for the first weeks, slowly increasing.

Take things slowly & listen to your body. While you are recovering you can’t do exactly what you did before surgery but you will again soon.

Not being able to drink alcohol after surgery isn’t an absolute no @Carol97045. Sure if your post surgical plan says no alcohol for a period it time, it is best to follow that. But after that there are a few considerations around the consumption of alcohol post surgery. Empty calories & carbs is one. The habit of usually eating high fat, high sugar, high calorie, highly processed food while drinking. How your body & changed digestive system tolerates it & processes it (like feeling the effects more quickly). The most important is the possibility of addiction transfer - from food to alcohol. Does this mean you can never have alcohol again? No. What it means is you have to make your own choices around whether you do or don’t drink & if you chose to drink how much & how often based on those considerations.

I drank while I was losing. Had a gin & tonic at about 8 weeks. Nursed that drink literally for hours & didn’t have another drink for another month or so. Four years out & I still only have a drink maybe once a month & usually only one. I still take a while to drink it or sometimes don’t finish it. My choice. I don’t enjoy it in the same way either. And I used to have a drink every night. And I’m far from being alone in continuing to consume alcohol.

Yea the team & I do have a talk on Monday. This was a major learning lesson for me

The EMT said exactly that i wasn’t getting in enough calories and the liquid IV was dehydrating me faster because of it. So they gave me some fruit Snacks to get back on my feet & my friend took me for real food

[BypassTheBS 49]

17 minutes ago, CarolineLittle said:

I'm so glad you're okay! It sounds like a fun event!

And yes, alcohol is OK, in moderation and at an appropriate stage. Nothing is a no no after surgery. Life is to be enjoyed and that includes a treat occasionally.

Thank you! Definitely a learning lesson for at least the rest of the summer

[catwoman7 11,210]

I'd agree with Arabesque that it's probably too much activity too soon after surgery. Your body's still healing, and you're not taking in enough calories to support strenuous activity yet. And low blood pressure/low blood sugar are issues with some of us the first few weeks. It was probably a combination of things.

about alcohol (and I know you said you weren't drinking. but just because the other commenters addressed it...), we were told to wait a year. I waited more like three years. The first time I drank it slowly and in a "safe" place since I didn't know what kind of effect it would have on me. I remember getting really buzzed really quickly on just one glass of wine - although the feeling left more quickly than it would have pre-surgery. I do drink now (eight years out), but it mostly consists of a glass or two of wine (and usually only when I'm out with friends) about once a month. But then alcoholism runs on one side of my family (two uncles), and with my addictive personality and my re-arranged digestive system, plus the fact transfer addiction isn't uncommon among bariatric patients, I never wanted to risk it.

[ms.sss 15,553]

18 hours ago, Arabesque said:

Not being able to drink alcohol after surgery isn’t an absolute no 

Confession.

My team said could drink alcohol after a year.

Me being me, i had a couple sips of red wine around 3-4 weeks post op.

Was really weird, i swear i could FEEL the wine travelling through my intestines.

Then I had a couple sips or a sake-soju concoction around 2 months post. The aftermath still ranks to this day as one of my top 5 dumping episodes. *shudder*

I had maybe 5 or so PARTIAL drinks of red wine or gin/vodka tonics throughout my entire weight loss phase. Long story short, I was "affected" really fast. I also sobered up unbelievably quickly.

Now in maintenance (im over 4.5 years post op), im NOT proud to admit that i am probably (on paper), a full on alcoholic. i probably drink about 1-2 servings of alcohol a day (espresso martinis or red wine, mostly). I used to drink pre-wls, but nowhere as regularly as i do now. On the flip side, i would reach "embarrassing drunk" pre-wls, but have yet to get there post-wls. Yes, I realize i am justifying, but there u go.

As i write this, im wary of newbies reading this, as i really dont want to seem to be endorsing my lifestyle. So sorry everyone!

I guess what im ineffectively trying to say is (again) everyone is different, and it is my fervent hope that everyone knows their own personal limits and strives to stay within them.

P.S. dont drink too much if u can help it! honestly its not worth the extra stress. I have way too many conversations with myself about this that its ruining my VIBE.

P.S.S. i will now remunerate for the next couple hours if this post was a good idea or not.

P.S.S. Happy Father's day today to all awesome dads our there!! ❤️

[BypassTheBS 49]

3 hours ago, ms.sss said:

Confession.

My team said could drink alcohol after a year.

Me being me, i had a couple sips of red wine around 3-4 weeks post op.

Was really weird, i swear i could FEEL the wine travelling through my intestines.

Then I had a couple sips or a sake-soju concoction around 2 months post. The aftermath still ranks to this day as one of my top 5 dumping episodes. *shudder*

I had maybe 5 or so PARTIAL drinks of red wine or gin/vodka tonics throughout my entire weight loss phase. Long story short, I was "affected" really fast. I also sobered up unbelievably quickly.

Now in maintenance (im over 4.5 years post op), im NOT proud to admit that i am probably (on paper), a full on alcoholic. i probably drink about 1-2 servings of alcohol a day (espresso martinis or red wine, mostly). I used to drink pre-wls, but nowhere as regularly as i do now. On the flip side, i would reach "embarrassing drunk" pre-wls, but have yet to get there post-wls. Yes, I realize i am justifying, but there u go.

As i write this, im wary of newbies reading this, as i really dont want to seem to be endorsing my lifestyle. So sorry everyone!

I guess what im ineffectively trying to say is (again) everyone is different, and it is my fervent hope that everyone knows their own personal limits and strives to stay within them.

P.S. dont drink too much if u can help it! honestly its not worth the extra stress. I have way too many conversations with myself about this that its ruining my VIBE.

P.S.S. i will now remunerate for the next couple hours if this post was a good idea or not.

P.S.S. Happy Father's day today to all awesome dads our there!! ❤️

Thank you so much for allowing yourself to be vulnerable and candid with your story 🤗. I really do appreciate you for giving insight on how these choices can progress as we learn this new lifestyle

[Sleeve_Me_Alone 656]

On 6/18/2023 at 5:04 PM, ms.sss said:

im NOT proud to admit that i am probably (on paper), a full on alcoholic.

Facing VERY similar concerns. I recently joined Sunnyside, which is a subscription based mindful drinking app/plan and am finding it VERY helpful. Just know you're not alone.

[BonJoviLover1987 1]

Hello my fellow Gastric buddies. I'm 3 weeks out from my surgery. I was told not to consume alcohol for a full year. In my nurses education class we were told that the chances of becoming an alcoholic after surgery has become a true fact. I usually have 1 drink in a year,so I'm going to just stay completely away from alcohol like I usually do.

[SleeveToBypass2023 2,596]

My thoughts are you did way too much to soon after surgery. I think you're supposed to wait 6-8 weeks before you do anything strenuous or super taxing. 4 weeks out was probably too much for your body.

[BypassTheBS 49]

Yes most definitely a learning experience

i should’ve taken it way more easy