Alcohol & VSG?

I was talking with some friends recently about  my upcoming VSG, and they asked if I could still drink alcohol after surgery.  Truthfully I'm not real sure; I haven't asked my surgeon about that, I've been so busy fighting w/ the insurance company to get approved.  So, what's the verdict among you post-op folks?  I realize I shouldn't "imbibe" until my stomach is completely healed.  But after that, can one still have a ****tail now and then?  And, if so, have you found that it takes more or less alcohol to get "buzzed"?  Inquiring minds want to know!

My surgeon's rule is no alcohol for 1 year. I'm 11 months and haven't had a single sip! But he also stated that is the most widely broken "rule" post-op. I think you find a whole slew of different answers based on what surgeon's guidelines people are following. SO ask YOUR surgeon and follow that rule!

I agree with Mommy2girls.
 
Honestly, don't think you want to sabotage yourself within the first 6 months (honeymoon period). Alcohol is empty calories so it will add up EVEN IF its the skinny drinks. Though I thought it wouldn't hurt by having one small glass of wine with friends.  WHOAA!!   Wasn't the best choice I made. Hit me like a ton of rocks and learned my lesson for awhile at least.

I have had both hard alcohol and wine at 4-months out.  Not alot, not often.  I did have a headache the next AM after 1-glass of vino.  I agree with everyone to baby your body NOW + wait for that drink over the holidays.  As with all things you TEST one food or drink item at a time.

Well, I am one who broke the rule.  I do so love red wine and also recently found out about the joys of flavored vodka's.....At 3 months out I sipped some wine....no issues, I gradually upped my consumption and had no problems.....with 1 huge exception-my weight loss slowed to a crawl.  Consuming empty calories which lower our inhibitions...perhaps removing common sense filters about  food choices is not entirely wise.  I cut out all alcohol on Labor day and my weight loss has returned to previous levels.  I have lost 12lbs in September. I have decided to remain alcohol free until at least Thanksgiving.  I want to be under 200 before I touch merlot. 

Reasons to avoid alcohol per my surgeon

1) You have a healing staple line, alcohol = harsh not conducive to healing

2) Empty calories = impedes weight loss

3) Transfer addiction (take away a fat girl's ability to cope with food, and it makes it easy to turn into using alcohol to cope)

4) This is the big one for me; Our livers are working double time during the rapid weight loss phase, right?? Why toss more crap in there for the liver to have to breakdown, process and clear out of the body.

I was restricted for 3 months on alcohol consumption. I refrained until I was at goal (6 months post-op), and my first glass of wine hit me hard and fast, then I sobered up fast. Over the coming months to first year, my tolerance returned to normal. I'm a very social drinker (not in pregnancy obviously), but enjoy a couple of drinks weekly.

People do it all the time. I don't tell anyone to NOT do it, but I don't think it's the best option regardless of how many calories you have left for the day, or how many others think it's perfectly fine to drink through the losing stage. Get to maintenance and worry about boozing. Believe me, I'm a party girl at heart, I have pics to prove it so I am not condemning drinking/partying/having a few, I am saying it's not conducive to losing phase.

I happily gave up drinking for now to take advantage of this honeymoon period - those calories add up fast, and I'm not usually one to stop at one drink, and drinking usually leads to eating, so I avoid that trap all together. 

I may (probably will) drink again but certainly not while my liver is working hard during the weight loss  phase.  For now, if it doesnt help my body, i dont want it.

I turned 21 in May, and was sleeved in July - I was straight out with my surgeon and told him that not drinking, for me, just wouldn't happen - I waited the 8 weeks that he told me to wait and I had one drink and was fine and content with it. I go out on average 1 time per week and have 1 or 2 drinks - I haven't gotten drunk, and make sure that if I am planning to have a drink or two, I eat the right things during the day. So far I haven't seen any decrease in my weight loss, and for me, in college and a sorority, its not realistic to not drink at all. I go back on Friday for my 3 month weigh in and check up, hopefully everything is on target. It may be bad logic, but hey, it keeps me sane.

 My surgeon says it's not going to hurt you (after initial healing), but it will impede your weight loss.  He recommends not drinking while you're still losing, which is what I'm going to try to do.  

Having worked over 20 years in drug and alcohol treatment I saw the devastation of those with either a new addiction or renewed one post WL surgery. Remember most folks who end up addicted to anything (including food), unknowingly, switch addictions, starting a whole NEW set of problems. You won't even know its starting to happen to YOU. Its a a brain thing.

That said, it IS empty calories, like drinking SUGAR, plus.. the effects are heightened. We have baby tummies, and our metabolism is affected. So it is possible to have just a drink or two and get a DUI. Again you will not even know how it affects you until its too late. You may ignore the consequences and make excuses for why you think its ok. so please be careful.

The surgeons have all different views on this. To me, they complicate a serious situation, though some do take it more seriously. Part of our monthly support groups is education and they include one on cross addctions.

Some surgeons will say sure you can drink, though moderately. Most folks I treated for alcohol/drug problems do not know HOW TO DRINK moderately.Now that may not be YOU. They start out drinking moderately, and think, so far so good, BUT..thats how the brains fools us. Drinking "ignites" a part of the brain where you LOSE CONTROL ( start to binge)..its sneaky. You are now drinking "mindlessly" like we used to eat.

Eventually, you will end up drinking calories and not eating. ( or worse, NOT eating so you can drink) Again its sneaky. You have a drink.. do ok.. so you do it again.. and again. If you did ok with 1 drink, then you can have another.

OR..You end up coping with alcohol ( or cigarettes, drugs), like we did food. So little by little we slip back into our old eating habits..and the weight comes back on.

So for me, I ask any of you to examine your post WLS lifestyles.
Please know that the amt, frequency and AFFECTS of drinking WILL be affected. So.. if you are feeling you will really really miss drinking take a look at why..Is it just like missing that hot fudge sundae etc? Or that we are different, denied and others get to enjoy what we once enjoyed? And if you are making excuses for why you drink..just become more aware of that, ok?

Remember..You are so worth a healthier YOU!!

Jan