ObesityHelp

Alcohol use/abuse is a risk factor for ulcers for ANYONE.

True, BUT, alcohol is one of the few things that are absorbed directly into the stomach.  Alcholol is very irritating to the stomach lining and you REALLY don't want an ulcer in your much smaller pouch.

why couldn't you get an ulcer in your new pouch?  It is just a smaller part of your stomach that is stapled off but it is still your stomach - it is very common for post ops to get ulcers in our pouches which is why we dont' take NSAIDS to not get ulcers in the pouch or the remnant.

Be careful with the alcohol. For the reasons already stated above....in addition, you have to be careful bc it goes straight to your blood stream and will hit you hard...I am a wine drinker, and will occasionally have a small glass...i have also read a study stating you also have to be careful about driving bc even if you do not feel it, RNY patients will have an elevated BAC for a longer time and be higher on less alcohol...so easier to get a DUI just off a small amount.

Stomach Ulcers and Alcohol

Short answer: no, alcohol does not cause stomach ulcers. The acid reflux and gastritis alcohol causes may mimic stomach ulcer symptoms.

The vast majority of ulcers are caused by the H pylori bacteria. The only way to know for sure if H pylori is to blame for your ulcer is by taking an H pylori test.

While it is generally accepted that alcohol is not a cause of ulcers, it is well-established that alcohol can cause irritation and slow ulcer healing times. As a result, it is recommended that alcohol be avoided when recovering from a stomach ulcer.

Alcohol is known to cause gastroesphageal reflux disease (GERD), constipation, and other digestive disorders, but ulcers are not one of them.

I was also informed through my program that we are more prone to cirrhosis of the liver because of the way we process alcohol after surgery in addition to cross addiction, etc.  I don't think a glass here and there will kill us though.  However, I understand we become legally drunk  very fast, so have a designated driver.

You really need to be careful with regular drinking.  You may not think it leads to ulcers or cross addictions but it happens.  Alcohol is very hard on the lining of your stomach and if you aren't taking a PPI anymore, it can do damage.  It is also very hard on your liver especially if you take any other liver toxic meds - tylenol containing meds, statins, PPI, diflucan to name a few.  Combine these with daily alcohol ingestion and you asking for liver troubles.  IF you are in the first few years with rapid weight loss or any gallbladder disease, that also adds risk to the liver.

Just be careful.  Once cirrosis sets in, it can't be reversed.

 Thank you for your post.
I hope you are doing well.

I really do think the link to alcohol abuse is under researched in Rny patients.
There are so many reasons NOT to drink-particularly the first year. 
Hard on the liver (the liver is overstressed with processing all the fat that is breaking down in your body)
It's 7 calories/gm
It is an irritant to the gastric lining..of which we have less.
Some people report that it is easier to overeat after drinking.
The sugar can cause dumping in some.

I think everyone gets to make their own decisions but I do think they should be aware of the consequences.

Deb T.