Quick ? about Drinking (the good stuff that is)

OK, what do you do when you are going out and cant do alcohol? I'm going out tonight with some friends to play cards at a local bar. I considered just ordering a diet coke...but havent tried any carbonation yet and not sure if it would put me in pain or not...and not really interested in being a burpasaurus all night either lol I also thought of the juice alternative...but am worried about the sugar content in them (yes, i'm a carb freak). So do I just thow caution to the wind and imbibe in some OJ or Cranberry juice or stick to water all night? Would love to hear some suggestions....Thanks!! Diane G. and wantin a margarita badly ;) Dr. Alverdy Duodenal Switch - Phase I - VG - 4-7-05 Phase II - DS - TBD Consent Signing Day Weight - 3/16/05 - 488 2 weeks post op - 4/20/05 - 464 (-24) 3 weeks post op - 4/27/05 - 453 (-11/-35) ;)

Diet coke on ice was wonderful when I was a new post-op. I still can't drink it from a can though. Tammy

Virgin Mary.

Ok im still pre op but i didnt know we couldnt have alcohol.. Is that just for a little while or forever?

No, its not forever. Some people do drink postop...but there are a few things to consider. My surgeon reccommends waiting at least a year before having ANY alcohol, but that is only partly why I am avoiding drinking it. Drinking puts extra stress on the liver to function. While you are in the rapid weight loss phase, your liver is already working extra hard to rid the body of toxins associated to that...so any alcohol added during that phase is forcing your liver to work even harder...so I dont want to have any additional stress on an already overburdened liver, so I am choosing to put off imbibing. Also, the effects of alcohol are a lot quicker with post op wls people no matter the surgery. Due to quick absorption as soon as it hits the intestine, one drink can cause a very rapid intoxication but you dont tend to stay drunk long (i've heard one drink can make you drunk/buzzed for about 45 mins). If you doing multiple drinks, the drunk effect is even greater and can lead to alcohol poisoning at a much faster rate than non-wls people. Drinking is fine in my opinion on ocassion if you are further post op, but everyone has to make the choice for themselves and what they want to put themselves through. If you are in a controlled environment and you can have someone to watch out for you, I say go for it. Just be safe when drinking and the other things that can happen because of drinking. Better to keep a clear head than get yourself into a situation that would cause harm to yourself and/or others. Ok...off my soapbox for now lol {{hugs}}

youll stay drunk just as long as before, or longer, sobering is about the liver detoxing the blood. period,

Then my liver's working better now, because I *do* sober up a bit faster, and much 'cleaner'.

I've got to disagree with you about paragraph three. Unlike RNYers, DSers still have the pyloric sphincter, so---alcohol DOESN'T hit our intestine any faster post-op than pre-op. And I'm speaking from experience here. (*grin*) However, since most of us do refrain from drinking for several weeks or months, the weight we've lost in that time-frame can definitely affect how much/little booze it takes to get a good buzz going. I can also say that post-op I find I sober up a trifle faster, and much 'cleaner'. A few times I've imbibed enough that I *deserved* a bad head the next day---but I've never had one.

Sober up cleaner, eh? I think I'll add that to my list of reasons to DS!! Think the insurance company will go for it?! Yeah, I think my terrible hangovers are probably mostly from having my blood sugar level off the gauge when I (rarely these days because of the after effects) partake in . I can have just two or three and still feel it the next day. LeaAnn Preebie

Drink suggestions: Iced tea, virgin Mary...I was a total Diet Coke addict prior to surgery (I've also just had the VG) and can't handle the carbonation post-op. I personally stay away from juices...liquid carbs...makes me hungrier, stalls my weight loss. I do take a very occasional sip of wine, but I am further along than you and its never even close to a glass full. Jo