Alcohol

[Best of British]

Hi, I am considering having the gastric sleeve operation in a couple of months. What I'm wondering is, did anyone like a drink before the sleeve and can you still drink now?

I know that alcohol is 'dead calories' and has no nutritional value whatsoever but I don't want to give up my life completely! I also know that losing the weight will be better than any cocktail, but I'd still like to party every once in a while, is this possible?

Any info would be very much appreciated x

[Kelin]

My surgeon told me that if I eventually want to have a drink, make sure it is a non- carbonated beverage. That made me sad because I am an Irish girl and I love my beer, but the carbonation can stretch your belly. So stick with wine or well drinks. A friend of mine makes a great drink with vodka, crystal light lemonade and Splenda. Also, your tolerance for alcohol will change a lot, getting drunk faster.

[curvymummy]

i still have a drink, just not fizzy one

[Mushaboomer]

It's very important that you do not drink prior to surgery, it's very bad for the liver and you want that sucker to be as small as possible for surgery (the liver is in front of the stomach).

[brianamato]

yea my liver was completely mush for my surgery... My Doc told me to stop drinking all together..

[hplinden]

Hi, I am 8 months
Ost surgery, I have lost 31kgs and every Friday evening, my hubby and I have a cheese and wine night, a couple of glasses of wine with different cheeses and crackers and we have both been fine. No issues, it has not prevented me from losing weight or made me sick. Don't be afraid of anything, we can eat anything and everything but just small amounts and we are so happy with our weight loss, having the gastric sleeve was the best thing I ever did, I feel great and only wish I could have had it 10 years Go. Good luck with your surgery.

[bikerbabie]

I am also 8 months out and have an occasional drink. I try to not drink carbonation either. Which I do like my beer but oh well I like being thinner WAY better. I think if you keep everything in moderation you will be fine. Remember the sleeve is a tool to help you with your weight loss. Not just a quick fix as some who aren't part of this great group may think. But I have no regrets with the sleeve. Very happy. I love being able to go to the store and buy a size 8 and know that it will fit. Even at walmart!! where in the past they always seemed to run small for me!! YEA!!

So good luck and enjoy your new life.

[momof2]

I too have had several glasses of wine after surgery with no complications. Don't drink beer as that may stretch your pouch. Start off slowly and take it from there. Good Luck =)

[healthydebbie]

I can drink beer, albeit slowly. I find stouts like Guinness pretty easy to drink because they have less carbonation. Bud Light isn't my favorite, but it goes down easy because the bubbles seems smaller than similar lagers. Woodchuck hard cider seams to be the least fizzy in it's category. Wine and spirits mixed with juice/ Crystal Light are probably the easiest to drink.

Alcoholic beverages are the only ones that I attempt with carbonation. It's not that I'm afraid to stretch my stomach, the bubbles just don't feel good. If the drink is lightly carbonated or has small bubbles, it's much more enjoyable than one with tons of fizz. Otherwise, you'll end up feeling like a overinflated tire:-)

I haven't had any trouble with alcohol hurting my sleeve or impeding my weight loss. However, I do track what I eat and drink. If I'm going to have some cocktails, I try to offset them with low calories meals all day or extra exercise.

[coloredgem23]

how depressing.....to read everyones post...my hard core love for Dos XX with yummy salt and lime...guess Ill have to make it count after the baby but before surgery...lol

[cowgirljane]

My personal experience is that wine is a little hard on my tummy now. I used to consider 4 oz a serving, but when I had wine a few months ago, 1-2 oz was more then enough.

I wasn't a big drinker before either.

[Tarheel2012]

I've had to be more mindful of the alcohol I comsume since surgery. Wine goes down pretty easy but gets me drunk alot quicker than anything else. Beer makes me feel full and bloated. Vodka with with cranberry or grape fruit juice seems to be the best combo for me!

[isandie]

i drank pre-op, and i drink now too!
i found it harder to get carbonation down up to a few months after surgery, but i have no problems with it now if i drink slowly (for most carbonated drinks anyway)...i had a beer a couple weeks ago that was too carbonated for me, and i couldn't finish it. but i drink Smithwicks with no problem.
I also LOVE mojitos, and sparkling wine, and i have no problem with either.
i think it depends on the person, and the beverage, but a few months after surgery you could try it and see how it goes for you!

signed, fellow beer lover

[jenn0014]

I have lost 120lbs so far and its been 1 1/2 years. I have been drinking alochol lately, and wonder sometimes am I using it as a replacement for food. I have given up a lot of things, such as red meat, milk,juice, junk food (for the most part) and i feel sometimes i will go crazy if i don't have something. As far as calories you just have to watch how many u are putting into ur body. Its about consistency and i work out so hard now i have a little leeway when it comes to drinking. plus since the surgery i can't really drink as much, maybe a bottle of wine if i get really crazy or 3 beers.
So have no fear of giving up your life just be prepared for a give and take so you don't go back and keep moving forward. i will tell you the mental battles are far more difficult than anything. stay strong.

[Vickeyg]

I have read many things on this subject because, I too enjoy a beer here and there. There are many refrences to drinking carbonated beverages and I think it is important to note that I have read many times, thay it is not proven that carbonated beverages stretch your stomach. Like all things, moderation is important.