Drinking

I think it's a dangerous situation for WLS patients to drink.  At one point not too long ago, someone posted a really great article about drinking after WLS - unfortunately I don't still have it, but maybe someone reading this still does?  I was always a very casual drinker - always the designated driver - maybe had 1 drink every few weeks.  Suddenly at age 42, after surgery, I was drinking more and more, and I realized this was the dreaded "addiction transferrance."    I couldn't eat like I used to, so I started drinking.  I stopped entirely, and no longer drink at all and attend a 12-step program.  There's no nutritional value in alcohol, and it really doesn't do anything good for us, especially after surgery, so my advice is to leave it alone.  I guess my thought is we risked our lives by having WLS, dramatically altered our bodies by having WLS, and so we might as well take really good care of ourselves from this point on.   I think you'll get lots of opinions, and will end up having to decide what's best for you and if the risks are worth it.  Either way, I wish you the best with whatever you decide to do!

Yesterday in my pre-op class, they told us that addiction to alcohol can happen very quickly in WLS patients. Much more quickly than in the general population.  They didn't give us sources to back that up but I'm going to trust them on that.
 

Park Nicollet's bariatric program recommends not drinking for a year - so you can maximize your weight loss.  Calories, calories, calories...

I plan on not drinking alcohol at all, even after a year.  I might have half a glass of champagne at each of my children's Wedding Receptions... WHICH BETTER NOT be for at least another 10 years!

-A