alcohol

[snereb27 0]

i'm 2 weeks out from surgery... i really really want a drink... how long did everyone wait til they started drinking again?

[BillOh 13]

I'm a light social drinker, but I waited 3 months. I think that was what my doctor told me to do.

[HeatherO 7]

It is completely up to your doctor. Some of us were told not to drink for six weeks up to a year.

There are a couple problems with drinking early on in calories can be high, carbonation is harmful if you are drinking something like beer, inhibitions are loosened so that you might eat something or eat more of something than what you are ready for, and the biggest problem of all is substituting drinking for eating when it comes to addictive behavior.

I would think that two weeks is still way to early since you are still recovering from surgery and your body has gone through quite a shock. You may also find that since your food intake is so low now, 1 drink might hit you harder than you would ever have expected pre-banding.

[RestlessMonkey 7]

What HeatherO says. Really not good for you right now, for many reasons. It's not forever; just hang in there and discuss w/your surgeon when you see him/her.

[Leah28 0]

i'm 2 weeks out from surgery... i really really want a drink... how long did everyone wait til they started drinking again?

My surgeon didn't give me any guidelines on when I could start drinking again, so I had my first drink about 2 weeks after being banded. After the first glass I really didn't feel like any more because my body still wasn't 100%from surgery.

I was a massive drinker before my band, and I have cut down so so much, but it is a big part of my social life and I would never have gotten the band if it meant I couldn't drink again. Might sound wrong to some people, but its part of my life to be able to enjoy drinks with friends.

I have been completely honest with my doctor, psych and dietician about my drinking habits - including that I occasionally have a fair bit in one go - and they have all been fine with it because I am still losing weight steadily

The difference now is that I can't drink as much as I did before (lower tolerance) and the hang overs are TERRIBLE.

I would check with your surgeon just to be sure, but I haven't suffered any consequences from drinking apart from some shocking hangovers!!

[Catherine55 43]

I was banded on 10/23/09 and had wine on Halloween. Was totally fine (and in moderation, of course). My doctor says that it's fine to have alcohol, as long as you keep in mind the calories and don't over do it.

Probably the biggest concern is making ABSOLUTELY SURE that I am never hung over (thank you, New Year's for driving that point home. . ). You can not throw up from your lower stomach with a fill in your band without risking slippage (not to mention that it would be very scary and unpleasant), so you absolutely need to make sure that you do not ever get to the point of being hungover.

I posted a little about this in my blog. Feel free to check it out!

Best wishes for your success,

Catherine

[RestlessMonkey 7]

I was banded on 10/23/09 and had wine on Halloween. Was totally fine (and in moderation, of course). My doctor says that it's fine to have alcohol, as long as you keep in mind the calories and don't over do it.

Another reason to ask your doc! LOL I couldn't even have Protein shakes 8 days post op, let alone wine!

Your doc will guide you in this.

[snereb27 0]

thanks everyone for your input... ask my surgeon that's cute... i'm not sure how everyone else's surgeon is, but i had my 2 week post-op on monday and my surgeon spent about 32 seconds with me.. in fact told me to follow him to the dietitcian as i was still asking him questions... it was a little frustrating, but i forgot to ask her.

i'm not much of a drinker myself, but it's one of those things that once someone tells me i can't do it or have it, that becomes the thing i want! :-)

[RestlessMonkey 7]

Wow I would never tolerate a physician who treated me that way! Different strokes I guess. I know they are busy but I am paying for their time (usually too darn much!) On the bright side, since he won't tell you anything (including you can't drink) then it won't bother you not to have any liquor!

[Kage 0]

snerub - I think we must have the same surgeon.

I met him for two seconds in the hallway on orientation day...by luck. The next I saw him was on surgery day as he was shuffling through my chart.

I haven't seen or heard from him directly since.

Oh well, his staff is taking good care of me.

[susan1961 0]

I'm from the 'everything in moderation' camp. I did my post-op recuperation at the home of a dear friend who is also a fan of fine wines... so I decided very early on that white wine was a clear liquid and I could have half a glass (as in 2oz) a day while I was on a clear liquid diet. :wub: Worked for me, though I know there will be critics. I am way too old to drink to point of hangover... some lessons learned in one's youth stick with you. Since I had my band, 4 months ago, I have never had more than a single glass of wine in a day. It does seem to affect me a little more.

[bignik 0]

Only last night i had a couple glasses of wine and a glass of vodka also with orange juice . first alcoholic drink sine op , I was fine , went down ok , didnt feel the need for any more ... note the 3 drinks were consumed over a period of 5 hours . My surgeon said fine as long as in moderation and again the empty calorie scenario .. ie calories in , but nothing much else from the alchohol.

That had been my first drink in 6 weeks , which is good for me as I do like a drink also , but thats the old me and now I am just going to treat myself once a month , to a couple of drinks whilst out after having dinner with my wife.

Again as recommended discuss with your surgeon , everyone different and everyones surgeon give different advice based on what info they have etc tc

best of luck :wub: