Question:
A question about alcohol....
I'm asking this question anonymously because it's kinda embarrassing. But I have to ask. Before I get into it, I'm not an alcoholic, I just like to go out with friends and dance and get smashed once in a while, that's all. I'm talking maybe once every other month or so. So here's my question.... I know I will probably be able to tolerate a little alcohol after surgery, but will I ever be able to go out and just let loose and get drunk again? I know this seems trivial, but its something I'm thinking about, and wanted your opinions. — [Anonymous] (posted on November 9, 2001)
November 9, 2001
I understand where you are coming from - I am not a regular drinker, but I
like to have an occasional "night out".
Here's a couple of things I have found out - if you dump, you'll have to
worry about sugar content. The alcohol (at least for me) seems to be
absorbed more quickly (thus I need only one or two drinks to get a really
good "buzz"). Most drinks have lots of calories. At first beer
was too "carbonated" to go down comfortably, had to stick with
"non-bubbly" drinks.
If you want a night out, physically I'm able to do it (I had RNY, but I
don't dump), but at the price of not loosing any additional weight. I am
two years out, and if I have a "night out" I can count on gaining
2 - 3 pounds and really have to watch what I eat for the next week or so to
get it off again.
— [Anonymous]
November 9, 2001
Yes, you can get drunk. You get drunk fast, and sober fast. It is hard to
maintain a buzz. Drink canned or draft Guiness - its not carbinated like
most beer. Avoid mixed drinks, too much sugar (unless you can handal it).
Sometimes I get headackes like I never used too.
— [Anonymous]
November 9, 2001
The good news is "yes" you will be able to get drunk. The bad
news is that this will happen after one or two drinks...and if
you do it more than once a month, you'll wreck havoc on your liver.
My surgeon advised me of all of this prior to my wls, he advised
abstaining. I did for over two years. But, last Christmas, I went
out with friends and got royally smashed on ONE pina colada. I mean
pie faced within minutes. No more alcohol for me.
— [Anonymous]
November 9, 2001
I like to go out with friends once in a while as well, and I've found that
at a little over 3 months out, a good drink of choice for me is bloody
mary's. They're basically made with tomatoe juice, so you don't have to
worry about the carbonation or the dumping. I also have had a
vodka/cranberry without trouble. I can't handle beer, though, (my previous
drink of choice)because of the carbonation. I do seem to get a buzz
faster, so I try to drink slower than I would have before. I do find that
I'm more "hung over" the next day, though, so I can't make a
regular habit out of painting the town red. I did have a birthday a week
or so ago, and went out with the girls and got good and plowed and BOY did
I pay for it the next day. Whew! Be prepared to either sleep in the next
day, or at least to not have to do anything really important. Everything
in moderation, I suppose! :) Have fun!
— [Anonymous]
November 9, 2001
I'm the original poster.....wow guys....thanks so much. I was kinda
worried that you would think I was a raving alcoholic because I was even
thinking about drinking afterwards. I'm glad to see that I'll still be
able to party once in a while. You've really made my weekend. This site
has been so inspirational and helpful to me. I cant thank you enough.
— [Anonymous]
December 2, 2001
Hi, Lisa here... I too was concerned about the drinking factor.. cuz I am a
party girl. I didn't drink every night but I would party at least 3 times
a month. 3 months after the surgery I sipped on a glass of red wine
(merlo, ect.) I got a little sick and felt really tired... Then a month
later I sipped on absolute vodca over ice... yeah! got a hell of a buzz but
it doesn't last long.. now it seems that I have replaced my eating with
drinking... I was drinking a bottle of wine a night and it got to the point
that I didn't even have hang overs... ok, seeing a problem.. I now only
drink on Friday, Saturdays and some sundays. So, the answer is yes, you
can find a drink that works with you and you can party all night... The
dark red wines have the least amount of sugar.. oh and I always drink a
glass of water in between each glass... have fun and good luck...Lisa S
— Lisa S.
July 3, 2002
The new stomach goes quickly into your intestine so alcohol will
"dump" into your body much quicker than with a normal stomach.
And, for those "needing to get smashed" every couple weeks....
you might ask yourself why you are doing that. Lots of people escape
reality with alcohol and that is the reason behind so many treatment
facilities. Good luck.
— Thomas M.
July 3, 2002
I don't think NEED was the issue. Like me, the poster does it because they
WANT to and they CAN and it's FUN.
— Karen R.
July 5, 2002
The point I was trying to make is that alcohol going directly into your
small intestine is more likely to cause cancers and create other health
issues. The small intestine is not designed to absorb alcohol. That
typically happens in the stomach. So if one is a heavy drinker with a
gastric bypass they may experience much more severe complications.
— Thomas M.
January 2, 2004
Alcohol seems to be fine for me, no dumping. But I only drink rum. I like
to party one night a week or less usually saturdays. It seems that I do
get really bombed faster, but if you kinda take it slow, its not too bad.
It just depends on your own body. I cant handle the simple sugars so I am
really surprised that my body takes the alcohol so well.
— Debra F.
Click Here to Return