Beer

Hi. Just wondering when people were able to try beer and how much you could have after surgery compared to before surgery?

Carbonation whether in beer, soft drinks, water, etc. should not be consumed before 6 weeks post-op.  The expanding gas can rupture your healing pouch 6 weeks post-op.  After that still not a good idea but not necessarily prohibited (depends on surgeon).  The expanding gas can cause stretching of your pouch if you drink too much or too fast.  Also, never a good idea to drink your calories regardless of carbonation.

 

You'll probably find the carbonation painful for several months yet. Also, as long as you're in the weight-loss phase, alcohol is 1) hard on your liver, and 2) empty calories.

 

I'm nearly 9 YEARS post-op, and I can't really enjoy beer like I used to. I drink it VERY slowly, and I burp a LOT.  Oh, and I had a DS, so no pouch/stoma thing.

Carbonation will NOT stretch your pouch (which has a hole at both ends for gas to escape) but it can make you feel uncomfortable - it's why I stick to red wine

Exactly what I was going to say, right down to the red wine, Kim!

 

Edited to add:  I wouldn't even consider it for a few months, too hard on your liver with rapid weight loss.

Alcohol tends to go right to yor head. YOu become a cheap drunk. I also love the wine. Maybe a little too much

All the professionals I have dealt with strongly discourage alcohol post-op at any time.  Our addictive personalities used to be satisfied with food.  With that removed we have a much higher chance of transfer addiction.  The local treatment center here in Atlanta has several post-op WLS patients at any time who have fallen victim to yet another addiction.  Alcohol does not work the same way on your newly created digestive system.  It goes straight into your system and you can be totally gone with just a portion of what you used to consume.  There has been much news on this issue as of late.  There was a WLS conference in the Northeast that literally had people passed out in the hallways at the hotels. 

It is dangerous to even flirt with alcohol post op.  I would strongly encourage you to reconsider your desire to drink.

I'm not trying to be "Debby Downer" but I have experienced this first hand and it sucks.

I used to make my own beer and really love the taste, but I have not had a beer since I had my surgery in 2007.  One of the main reasons besides the carbonation?  I once had a very skinny friend (yea, I know -- why is it that we obese people end up with skinny minnies for friends?).  She got way too thin and the doctor told her to drink a beer before lunch and dinner to gain weight.  You know what?  IT WORKED!!!  Now, the whole reason you're putting your body through all this is to lose weight, right?  Don't drink the beer.  It's too much of a calorie ****tail for your body.