I'm ok with not drinking for 6 months after surgery but I'm just curious why they say that? What will it do to your sleeve? Anyone know?
So this is what I found onlilne:
Drinking Alcohol
Q: Can I drink alcohol after surgery?
A: Alcohol is not recommended after bariatric surgery. Alcohol contains calories but minimal nutrition and will work against your weight loss goal. For example, wine contains twice the calories per ounce that regular soda does. The absorption of alcohol changes with gastric bypass and gastric sleeve because an enzyme in the stomach which usually begins to digest alcohol is absent or greatly reduced.
Alcohol may also be absorbed more quickly into the body after gastric bypass or gastric sleeve. The absorbed alcohol will be more potent, and studies have demonstrated that obesity surgery patients reach a higher alcohol level and maintain the higher levels for a longer period than others. In some patients, alcohol use can increase and lead to alcohol dependence. For all of these reasons, it is recommended to avoid alcohol after bariatric surgery. (American College of Surgeons, 2011)
That being said, I have had no issues with alcohol. I don't drink all the time but I do indulge occasionally with no issues.
My surgeon gives the ok after 4 weeks. However, he recommends only drinking with someone you trust lol. I don't drink often, I probably didn't have anything for 6 months and even now, half a glass of wine and I'm pretty happy.
I still haven't drunk any alcoohol.
I have this new wls post op rule: if I don't like it, it's not going into my mouth.
I tried it and didn't like it.
I drink, but have to be extra careful. At a dinner party I have to realize everyone else around the table has a regular sized tummy, so there is no way I can drink like they do. It's difficult, I have to really keep my mind in the game. 2 glasses of wine is my limit, and I try to drink a lot of water along with the wine.
My psychiatrist said he sees some sleeve patients turn into alcoholics or drug addicts. We have that addictive personality, and our addiction can transfer over from food to something else. So while I think drinking is OK, moderation is extremely important.
So true of everything! Every surgeon has a different "rule." In my practice, the nutritionist, nurse & surgeon sometimes each give me conflicting answers. All the more reason to figure out what works for you.
When we go to dinner with friends and everyone is having wine, I let them pour a small glass for me and don't make a big deal of it. Then I quietly pour almost all of it back into my husband's glass. I like to have a sip. But since I can't drink and eat at the same time, I just have a sip then refuse refills.
I don't think it will hurt you as long as its in moderation. That being said.....
I choose not to drink. It is just empty calories and does nothing to help you (or me) on the weight loss journey. I've had a few sips of wine since surgery, but that's it. Haven't had any alcohol in at least 6 months.... Don't miss it at all!
Hope this helps!
You asked -- WHY the 6-month prohibition on alcohol consumption after WLS.
The following position statement is issued by the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) for the purpose of enhancing quality of care in bariatric surgery. In this statement, suggestions for management are presented that are derived from available knowledge, peer-reviewed scientific literature, and expert opinion. This was accomplished by performing a systematic review of currently available literature regarding alcohol consumption (both pre- and postoperatively) and subsequent alcohol metabolism in patients undergoing bariatric surgery. The intent of issuing such a statement is to provide objective information regarding alcohol use and metabolism in the bariatric patient population. The statement may be revised in the future should additional evidence become available.
https://asmbs.org/resources/alcohol-...iatric-surgery
Consult: 235 lbs
My and doc's preop diet: 216 -19 lbs
M1 postop 205 -30
M2 193 -42
M3 184 -51
M4 174 -61
M5 167 -68
M6 162 -73
M7 156 -79
M8 151 -84
M9 148 -87
M10 146 -89
M11 144 -91
M12 143 -92
M13 142 -93
M14 140 -95
M15 139 -96
M16 137 -98
M17 135 -100
First Surgiversary post
Second Surgiversary post
Third Surgiversary post
OK this statement was odd:
"Several studies report a correlation between alcohol consumption and increased postoperative weight loss. Dixon et al. found that patients with an intake of > 100 g/week lost more weight compared with those with no alcohol intake (50.4% versus 40% excess weight loss (EWL); P < .005) [22]."
See, my wine is not making me fat!
Basically this article is all about bypass, saying more research needs to be done with the sleeve.
Blimey!!! I drink gin and diet lemonade without any problem from about 2 months post op, beer is very filling so I don't worry at all about that.
My dietician flipped out when I told her how much booze I drank pre op and post op. I'm losing weight and eating healthy. My exercise is mowing lawns for some extra $$$ and stop getting bored in retirement. I feel more energetic and alcohol is not getting in the way of things.
All that being said, do you think the Dr is going to say 'yeah drink all you want" , so moderation in everything. BTW I'm 64.
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