Alcohol

[Megan161]

Anyone know when we can have alcohol again? I like to have an occasional glass of wine. Just wondering.

[sraebaer]

My doctor said one year. When I asked him "Why" he said because of the empty calories. "So it won't hurt my new stomach in any way?" "No."

I have a glass of wine occasionally! (And it hasn't been a year.) It's quite an improvement, as I used to drink Long Island Teas.

I know others follow the rules perfectly, not me. But I am maintaining a regular weight and am very happy. No deprivation here.

[Megan161]

How long did you wait?

[groundedsteve]

At five weeks post sleeve, I had a party for my employees at my house and being the good host I am i had a couple glasses of Chardonnay. No biggie. I understand the "empty calories" thing but if you account for the calories and adjust, you'll be fine. And I was and am.

[terry1042]

Everything I read says a year because it can become very addictive if you start earlier so I am told by the folks at the Hospital. If I never have another drink though it will not bother me. I just do not want to do anything to stop my weight loss right now.

[Kindle]

...

[Megan161]

Hmm I wonder why addictive...Maybe because you need so little?

[RubbityDub]

I figure that I have given up most of my vices in order to lose this weight but I'll be darned if I am giving up my wine as well. Giving up everything that you love won't necessarily make you live longer, it will just feel that way!!! Long and boring days and nights. I'll take my chances and enjoy each day as it comes. I feel so much better since my surgery, in fact much better than I ever could have thought possible so why not enjoy my wine?

[lou32]

i had a glass of wine 2 weeks post op at a wedding , i drink occasionally now , no where near like i did pre op , its not hurt me in anyway ,

[Ann2]

Hmm I wonder why addictive...Maybe because you need so little?

Megan, please google: WLS cross addiction

Here's one article: Obesity Action Coalition » Weight-loss Surgery and Cross Addiction: A Look at Binge Eating Disorder

Cross addictions are a risk for WLS patients -- not guaranteed, but a risk. When we don't have food to soothe us anymore, we may use other substances to soothe us post-op. This risk extends to people who are not alcoholics pre-op. In fact, someone posted here recently who had become an alcoholic post-op who had never even drunk socially before surgery.

Again, it's not guaranteed, but a risk.

[klecko]

I waited about 2 months.

[Julesg1963]

My doctor/health care team urged me to wait at least a year...the concern for cross addiction, it's very very concerning. It's been nearly six months and I've not had a drink. I was not a big drinker prior to surgery, in fact it was very rare - as now I'm menopausal and alcohol would usually send me into a full-blown hot flash...and trust me, it was definitely not worth it! I also have a long family history of alcoholism, so I feel like I'm acutely aware of it so I've kept my distance. If I drank before, it was purely social anyway. So...and I truly don't want to jeopardize my weight loss - worked too hard to do that. Good luck to you!

[Heather1979]

I've heard of cross addiction , the lady at my pharmacy had a daughter who had the op and she became and alcoholic so I'm going to wait a year although I'm not a big drinker anyway. I also have this vision I'm my head of my poor battered stapled stomach and think that alcohol would be the last thing it would want !

[Heather1979]

Megan, please google: WLS cross addiction

Here's one article: Obesity Action Coalition » Weight-loss Surgery and Cross Addiction: A Look at Binge Eating Disorder

Cross addictions are a risk for WLS patients -- not guaranteed, but a risk. When we don't have food to soothe us anymore, we may use other substances to soothe us post-op. This risk extends to people who are not alcoholics pre-op. In fact, someone posted here recently who had become an alcoholic post-op who had never even drunk socially before surgery.

Again, it's not guaranteed, but a risk.

It's a great article and makes much sense thanks Ann