Alcohol

[frankthefrowner]

Going to a wedding would like to have 1 drink. Is there anything bad about having a drink? Aside from the lack of nutrition?

[wydols]

I do have a few drinks here and there and my doctor knows this. Have since 1 month after surgery nothing carbonated. However I would not recommend your first try with alcohol to be at a wedding. You have no idea how it will affect you after the surgery. That one drink may put you well over the drunken limit. Might try one at home when you have someone with you.

[Ann2]

I had my first full drink at 5.5 months. (I also had a sip of wine at a birthday party a couple of months post-op, as I recall, and that went OK.)

Many surgeons recommend you wait 6 months to a year before drinking.

The big thing to worry about is "transfer addictions" but that's a big subject.

Anyway, the big deal with drinking alcohol post-op is that, with your smaller stomach (where much of the alcohol used to get digested pre-op) you don't break down or absorb the alcohol much there anymore (there's a lot less tummy surface area). So the alcohol rapidly goes right down into the small intestine where the greater proportion of unaffected alcohol is SUCKED UP RAPIDLY by your small intestine (that's pretty much the small intestine's only job -- to absorb food and drink nutrients).

The result can be a very rapid absorption of alcohol and, well, you know ... the rapid effect after having had only 1 drink of having had (back pre-op) 2-4 drinks.

So yeah, that's a long way of saying I wouldn't do your first drink at a wedding.

And then there's this: you know how weddings are ... one drink leads to a second drink leads to a champagne toast leads to ... why the hell are you dancing on the table with no clothes on?!

P.S. And if you ignore all this and have 1 drink only at the wedding anyway, drink it very, very slowly. Really slowly.

[LadyLitteRock]

Hiya, I haven't had the surgery as of yet, I am scheduled for 8/17, but what I have heard and read through research you shouldn't have anything to drink for at least 1 year. Like others mentioned, you should speak with your surgeon or PCP and see what they say to be on the safe side. From what I understand, the absorption, of 1 drink can be more like 3-4+ drinks, which is not good, depending on how you handle your liquor/alcohol. If anything, if its a must, I would try a drink at home, in a safe environment with someone close, in case anything. Aside from transferring of addiction like Ann mentioned as well as through research, alcohol poisoning is easier as well.

Personally, I wouldn't have the drink, but again, its up to you and your doctor, just because it may be ok for someone to drink one once in a while, doesn't mean its ok for others, you know. Better to be safe than sorry. Its not worth it.
Take care

[sraebaer]

Have a drink. Enjoy!

[bigiphish41]

have a drink and enjoy, I have had more then I would like to admit. Just be careful as they will knock you out rather quickly if your not careful

[frankthefrowner]

Well my wife is pregnant so if I happen to get tipsy Shes ok to drive. I was literally gonna nurse one drink the entire night. As far as more than one I don't enjoy weddings enough.

[markw]

I was told 6 months before you were supposed to have a drink. I was on vacation a few weeks ago and we stopped at distillery. I want to buy some alcohol, but wanted to taste it first. I paid the 5 buts for 3 tastes. I had somewhere between 1-1.5 shots total. Everything they said about being a light weight was true. I had an immediate buzz that was recognized by several. I handed the car keys over on the way to the car and said I needed an hour right at I walked into a glass wall instead of through the door. It was hilarious, but I was only with 2 family members.
I'd be really careful before having a drink at a wedding. It could come back to haunt you. My advice wait or have a drink at home before you have one in a public setting. BTW, I could drink most under the table before surgery without getting drunk. My time is over in that game.

[Brandonf150]

Yeah, I was a big drinker too out all night and then the first one to work the next night. Leaving for a sales meeting in about a week this will be the first one that I won't be drinking. Everyone else will be though. It keeps creeping in my head..oh just try a sip or two...I don't plan on it because I want to follow doctors orders as much as possible.

[sassyrae21]

I've drank through the entire 8 months post op. Not excessively but I don't limit myself. I do get drunk fast though, so now I drink one or two and I'm done.
You'll be ok, just pay attention to your drunkenness, lol.

[I'mGoing2DisneyWorld]

I am 11 weeks post op and was cleared for wine and such, nothing with bubbles.

[JanPit]

Have a drink and enjoy it. Just don't have it right before you eat. I made the mistake of ordering a Sangria with my meal. I enjoyed the drink and brought my food home.

[Fordlady]

What do you drink and you still lose weight, I started drinking and it's hard to keep the weight off smh

[Kindle]

I would be a little nervous about trying my first alcohol in public. I had mine at 4 months postop in the "safety" of a friends house where it would have been OK to get too tipsy or to puke if my sleeve rejected it! But if you are feeling adventurous, then go for it and enjoy.

Personally, alcohol doesn't affect me any differently than preop.....I can still out drink a football team. I will get a bit of gastritis if I drink too much or too many days in a row, but sweets and coffee do the same thing. I basically just treat alcohol like any other carb....limited portions and in moderation.

[bikrchk]

I had my first drink at about 3 or 4 months out I think. The world did not end! Some advice though... Don't have your first taste of alcohol post op in a public place. Whatever you think you want to try at the wedding, try a sip at home a few days before. I CAN say, some of the drinks I really liked before, I tolerate less well today, red wine because of the acid and beer because of the carbonation so I avoid those now. You don't want any surprises out in public!