how do you handle alcohol after the sleeve?

[Sami2012]

I am considering having the sleeve surgery. I am not an alcoholic by any means, but i do enjoy having some cocktails with my husband and friends on the weekends. I am worried that I will not be able to be a part of our lifestyle if i cant comfortably drink socially, or if i get hammered off one glass. Any thoughts? Thanks ahead of time!

[itchycat55]

Hmmm alcohol is high in calories and if you mix with soda...yikes. I suggest picking virgin drinks similar to what you usually have. This is most helpful if you are into the fruity drinks like a Pina Colada, Tequila Sunrise, even a Screwdriver or a Ceasar, these are undetectable as a virgin drink unless u tell people. Just thinking off the top of my head. I haven't been a drinker for many years now...

[niamh]

Different guidance from different docs. My guidance says something along the lines of "alcohol can be enjoyed in moderation". I haven't tried anything at this stage, but expect to go back to having the odd glass of wine or whisky. Some people here said in a recent thread that it doesn't make them drunk much faster. It seems some docs suggest not drinking to reduce the likelihood of switching compulsions, which can happen.

[Brit1981]

I was told there isnt anything wrong with having a drink. Im a vodka girl myself, My dr. told me, instead of having a shot of vodka, I can divide it in 2 and add cranberry. The problem is with all the fruity mixed drinks (mai tai, tropical storm etc.) there is alot of calories and sugar, alcohol can also make you very dehydrated, so just be careful.I have even read about people having a couple of beers, I wouldnt try it because of the carbonation, but it has been done with no consequences. So just take things slow, make sure you wait the appropiate amount of time post op. Im sure you will be fine!

[Tex.man88]

Remember this that your tummy is smaller there for liquids go right though it to the instantiates instead of sitting in your tummy for a bit. So with that you get drunk faster with less to drink. My Doctor told me no Caffeine, Sugar Drinks, or Alcohol

[Stephy]

My dr told ME no alcohol what so ever...butttt, others who have had the surgery, were told...6 mos, a year, even 2 months...I personally had my first alcoholic drink at 2 months out. I had 2 cran/vodka, within 4 hours, I was so scared to drink...I drank em slow, and let the ice melt, and I did not even get a buzz...I plan to "try" to drink again...but probaly at home, so I can see the effects before I make a fool out of myself in public...lol I have a bottle of Stella Rosa in my fridge that has been callin my name! haha

[Anissa Christine]

I don't drink alcohol. And I am grateful for that. I have an addictive type personality..the last thing I need to do is trade my food addiction for an alcohol addiction.

[drisner]

My surgeon is definitely in the no alcohol camp as well. The biggest reason for this is that people who have had weight loss surgery are 400% more likely to become alcoholic because of replacing comfort food with comfort alcohol.

I haven't tried alcohol yet. I'm thinking I will wait until I reach my target weight before trying it. I figure my stomach should be fully healed by then, I should have most if not all of the psychological issues under control and I won't be able to mess up my weight loss since I'll have already lost it.

I really would love to be able to have a beer, but I know that with the carbonation I'll need to stick with non-sparkling wine, which I also like very much.

BTW: There are psychological issues to deal with when having this surgery. They are not small and are really the biggest issue to deal with, at least for me. Lots of cravings in my head for comfort eating. Definitely nothing to brush off lightly.

[lisa2job]

I too am a social drinker , My surgeon never said i couldn't drink just that it is frowned upon during weight loss phase due to the empty calories. I am new to being sleeved but made a concious choice of being fat or having a social drinks, I figure my friends don't care if I have a vodka or a glass of water it's more about us sharing some time together and having some laughs. So I am still being social just no booze involved this stage of my process. also what the people said above about dehydration that could also be an issue along with trading one addicting thing (eating ) for another one booze.... things to think about, I also gave up smoking, pasta, and rice. these are all stupid things I can live with out for being skinny.... I will take that trade any day of the week.....
good luck in your decision hope this helps

[Munchkin]

I was never a big drinker. I had some wine at 3 months out without problem. Have a sip of drink here and there a couple of times. Last Saturday I had a glass of white zinfindal. No problem. Didn't get trash quickly or anything.

My surgeon also said no alcohol. So I don't plan to drink on a regular bases. I also don't want to treat alcohol like I am an alcoholic that needs to avoid it at all cause. It is just not important to me one way or the other..

But if we are talking about chocolate, that is a whole different story.

[marilynlw]

But if we are talking about chocolate, that is a whole different story.

I also way never much of a drinker but did have a glass of wine once in a great while. Will not miss it. Nutritionist said its a no. But chocolate I don't know if I could live without it. Only need a couple of bites of a snickers. Halloween is always hard with all the candy around. I was hoping to have my sleeve by then so I wouldn't be able to eat any. People say our tastes change after the VSG. I'm hoping I don't like pretzels any more. I can not have them in the house because I get started on them and can NOT stop. Good Luck everyone with your demons.

[ACajunAnna]

Lots of empty calories in alcohol, I agree. I have had beer 3-4 times. One 7 ounce beer in one hour gives me a buzz. I'm a cheap drunk! In a different environment, I could see myself having Crown Royal and water or a glass of wine. Just listen to your body. I was afraid the first time, did not want to drink too much and be too far away from a bathroom. Some new foods go straight through me, so I was thinking that beer would do the same, but I was fine. I'm going on a girl's weekend to the beach in a couple of weeks, so I got some little 5 ounce bottles of wine to drink. I figure one will last me me all night. I will stay away from the jello shots.

[donewithdieting]

If you have an addictive personality I will say stay away from alcohol. Just my personel challenge right now. Good Luck Linda

[Island Girl]

I haven't had anything more than a sip of beer so far. Too many empty calories at this point in the game. But...I cannot imagine not being able to have a beer or a glass of wine when I am ready.

[ToDream]

I've had some issues with alcohol pre and post op. Not so much transfer addiction as a coping mechanism that I've used in my life at times of stress. I'm aware that I do it and I turn it on and off at will but its something that I am always aware of. Alcoholism runs in my family so I'm always checking my "need" vs "want".

Pre-op my go-to drink was vodka and diet coke. I'm 1.5 yrs post op now and haven't had carbonation since my surgery so most often my choice is white wine (red feels like its burning me now) or vodka/cran. 1 glass of wine definitely is enough now, I have to nurse it or I feel the effects quickly.