I have been reading up on alcohol a bit.... I have seen some weird / scarey posts.  Addictions and BAC levels (blood alcohol count... I think), I read that someone got a DUI days later because their BAC was over even tho they felt sober?!?!?  Can I have a drink Friday night and be able to drive my self to work Monday?

I have seen posts about how people become alcoholics post op and it scares the crap outta me.  Other posts about getting stupid drunk on one glass.

I am not a big drinker to begin with (I got tipsy in 2007 on holiday in Jamaica) but I used to have a new years drink and the occasional cooler camping or glass of wine at weddings. 

If you do drink what is it, how much and how often?

Michelle

I can't see how the alcohol can stay in your system for days on end.  Might be a good question to ask your centre but personally don't see it.  I normally drink red wine but have had hard liquor and the occasional beer over the years.  Very early out it made me drunk very fast but I also felt sober very fast too. Now years later, my alcohol tolerance it the same as pre-op.  I don't get drunk any faster than before but I don't sober up any faster either.  I never drink and drive as I know it can hit us differently.  I am not inclined to think that all of us will turn into alcoholics considering I'm over 8 years post op and am definitely not an alcoholic.  Do some turn to alcohol when they can't turn to food, of course, but all of us, no way.  I think we are all smart enough to know if we have a problem and to do something about it. We all likely knew we had issues with eating too much food or the wrong foods and finally did something about that so hopefully we are all aware to keep an eye on alcohol when we do decide to start drinking again and put a stop to it before it gets to be a major problem should it be headed in that direction.  I'd suggest you have your first drink of alcohol at home with no real company other than family in case it doe**** you like a ton of bricks.

The concern is cross addition. If you no longer get a high from sugar laden foods then some people turn to alcohol for this.

You will more than likely feel the drink a lot more. I am sure someone will disagree but most of us are now cheap drunks. You sound like you were not much of a drinker so would probably be okay. Just remember it is empty calories and should not be had before your centre allows it. Usually after 6 months. Again because it is empty calories many people wait until after they reach goal.

I would suggest your first drink be at home where you can fall asleep if you want. I do not like carbonation so do not drink beer or pop/alcohol drinks. I like wine.

I had a drink 5 weeks post op, just vodka water and lemon, and didn't feel anything. I really think it hits everyone different. I've been told people get drunk off the neck of a beer! So is say just do what you feel comfortable with! 

I am almost three years post-op, and get drunk off my first sip.

Not that it stops me.

Not a heavy drinker by any stretch of the imagination, but maybe once a week I will have 1/2 beer, or a glass of wine. I am such a cheap drunk, it's really funny.

That having been said, once I doze it off, it's gone.

I pee it out of my system I guess.

Has it changed since the surgery? Not really. Will it change in future? Well, my tolerance for sugar has definitely changed, so likely my alcohol tolerance will too.

i am 5mos post op and tried to have a beer not long ago but a few sips was all i could manage because it did not sit right with me.

It may have been the carbonation that did not agree with you.  I found bubbles from anything before 18 months had passes just sat funny and sort of hurt a bit.

When I went for my post-op appointment at TWH in January, I was told that a new guideline was no alcohol -- ever. When I asked why the change from 6 months to never -- I was told that the concern is cross addiction. 

I was told no alcohol for the first year.  Well.......  at 3 months out for the holidays I had a small mix drink and at 5 months i went out to dinner with some co-workers and had me a strawberry daiquiri.  I took it slow and drank it in about an hour to an hour and half.  I didn’t feel tipsy at all at either sitting.  I think we are all different and our bodies will react how they react.    

I can’t speak on cross addiction (I never even heard of this being a problem after surgery), however, I think there are more serious underline issues then just having a drink for those that become addicted after surgery.

Good luck!!!

Guess some day I will get someone to babysit me and see what happens. 

Michelle