I know carbonated beverages are a no no after RNY, and the alcohol works much more quickly...but I was wondering am I going to have to give up my glass of wine every once in a while? How about the martini the girls and I get once a month?

I dont even consider myself a social drinker because 9 times out of 10 I opt for non-alcholic beverages, but I was just wondering its going to be completely out of my life forever?

You don't have to give it up forever. It's just a matter of weighing whether it's worth it at whatever stage you're in.

For me, IMO, as yummy as one drink can be (I like the sweet ones), it's hardly worth the (300, 100, whatever) calories that are in there. If I'm going to blow my diet for 300 calories, it might as well be on something FABULOUS!

Initially, I used to drink a lot (I had my WLS when I was 29 and in the prime of my party years). Now that I'm married and settled a bit, I RARELY drink (I'm talking one drink every 6 months or so). I don't beat myself up when I do it, but 9 times out of 10, it never feels worth it in the end - and most times, I just pass it up.

Now that I'm back on track and losing weight again, comfortably - the thought of alcohol just isn't there. I have NO desire to drink something sweet/fattening/or alcoholic. In fact, the thought is kind of yucky.

Once I'm on maintainance and have my weight COMPLETELY under control, I may opt for a glass of wine now and again. However, I KNOW what I'll have to do the following day to keep myself in control of the carb monster. (alcohol has sugar and in my case, any amount of sugar can release the carb monster).

I was just like you prior to surgery...most of the time I passed on liquor, as it made me sleepy. Once I had the surgery, I didn't touch a single alcoholic beverage until I got rid of all of the excess weight...and I used to fume when I'd hear of people taking a sip here and there during the weight loss phase (I was quite the WLS Prude). After year number two, I started to enjoy the occasional glass of red wine. Hard liquor doesn't appeal to me and the sweet mixers would make me sickly. Think of alcohol on the same level as sugar...once you get to goal, a bit in moderation isn't going to kill you.

As a side note, my WLS center advises NO alcohol or caffeine...due to the onset of ulcers.

In addition to what has been posted - don't forget that alcohol can also impair our judgement -
which can have an effect of food and other alcohol choices.

There is nothing that says you cannot have a little alcohol occasionally. However, I think that it is very scary to do it while you're trying to lose excess weight. It makes you want to snack more. Be very careful with it if you continue to use it. If you find yourself drinking alone every day, or even a couple of times a week. If you fib to your friends and family about having a drink alone now and then, these are warning signs that you should not ignore.

And if you have any unexplained pain in your gut, you should cut out alcohol until you get the pain taken care of, as this could be the beginning of an ulcer.

Be careful. Be wise.

Oh, I never ever drink alone. Ever. I just ended my engagement (after three years together) due to his alcoholism. I can do without it - and will forgo it during the weight loss drive....but its nice to know a glass of wine every once in a while would be ok....I am still on the fence with RNY and Lap Band....doctor said Im a candidate for either and he will leave it to me to decide. I personally have done my Pro/Con list and came up with RNY was the best choice for me. Giving up alcohol is actually less of a con than giving up hamburgers (to prepare, I've switched to turkey burger and chicken unbreaded chicken breasts already for grilling out and those have been fine)....but I didnt see anything in the literature I have. I think it mainly points to how fast the alcohol will kick into your system...and to avoid beer (carbonation causes way too much gas?)

As for drinking and munching - I have actually never been that way. Generally on nights I consume alcohol its after I've had a meal...never making the 3 am run for the border either! I guess I'm weird like that.

When it comes time to add that back to the diet much further down the road, I will make sure I count the calories in and find something other than a cosmo (totally forgot how loaded with sugar that is!) to partake in...

Thanks for the great advice - and the warm welcome. I've never talked directly with someone who's had the surgery, only people who know people...

Hugs,
PG

I would also like to add that we cannot and should not ignore the fact that many people will transfer one addiction for another. Hence, food for alcohol. It can be very subtle in the beginning, but when your relationship with food changes most times you look for a replacement. And what better way of changing how you feel about yourself than going out with the girls, having some drinks, and "getting a new life" (especially if are not quite comfortable in your "new skin").

My advise is to be very, very careful with your alcohol consumption. Drinking excessively is only a symptom of a much larger problem, just as being overweight is only a symptom of bigger issues. It's not so much about what we eat, but what's eating us!

My 2 cents

Papergirl,
Good to see your smiling face. Sorry we missed our little hugfest last week. Hope the weather will be good for the March support group.
A couple things you may want to know: 1) after WLS our senses of smell & taste sometimes change. You may not need to worry about what you will do w/ alcohol; your body may dictate that to you. 2) some people have transferred addiction from food to alcohol without even realizing they were doing it (probably why Sandi gave the advice she did).
Jeanie (and Lucille)

I didn't know I couldn't have a burger! I have been eating ground beef. In fact, I have everything but the bun... I think that is another myth.

I eat ground beef, too. It goes down & stays down when some other meats won't. I use the least fat available.

What a great thing to bring up. I didn't see one thing in here about the fact that we trade additions until your post.

Everyone needs to be very weary of this!!! It can sneak up so fast.

Hi Papergirl! to the n'hood!

Fyi...IF you do decide to have an occasional glass of wine or whatever this is the only exception to the "no drinking with meals" rule...due to our quick absorption issue. Also, I eat ground beef/burgers all the time, I just do not have the bread...still yummers though! Don't get me wrong I like ground turkey, but my pouch has never rejected ground beef (I try to use the leaner ones...ground chuck or sirloin or the no more than 10 percent fat ones)...

Keep us posted on your final decision...please feel free to ask any questions you may have about either surgery...this is the place to get very straightforward answers...all cushioned with love (although sometimes tough! lol!)...

Many blessings!

I would be careful about alcohol as welll. It is just like anything else, the more you know the more likely you are to make the right decisions. I have a dear friend that had R&Y and lost 100% of the weight. This person did everything right and looks fabulous. I started noticing that there were a few drinks every day whenever I was with this person. It was always discreet . . . but nonetheless there. I never would have expected this person to go this direction . . . I dont think this person expected it either because drinking habits where maybe a drink a month before. Nevertheless, it is there. If you are prone to any sort of addiction and food definitely can qualify, it is soooo veryyyy easy to transfer. So all I can say to anyone is be careful, be knowledgable and be responsible to yourself and your body.

As far as hamburger is concerned . . . lean and high quality have never given me a problem. Usually my body likes this so much more than chicken, who would have thunk it??? Chicken was my previous staple, now I can eat it but only if I am oh-so-careful. I went with the lapband because my bmi was not very high and I want another child over the next two years. Everyone I have met so far seems happy with their decision on the path they chose. My only regret is that I had not done it yearrrrssss before. I wish you the best of luck choosing yours. I am sure you will make the right decision for you

HeatherO,
Welcome to the neighborhood!

I can't eat ground beef, deli meat or turkey no matter how it is cooked... I just don't get it..

Our pouches can be pretty picky, can't they! I can't eat turkey, some chicken & beef & pork. I have to be quite careful about fat content, too.

it IS weird...I can't eat ice cream BUT I could eat chocolate all day long.....go figure..ooo and spaghetti kills me...and lasagna doesn't...

Given I prefer to be in control of my faculties, (spelling?)I've never been much for alcohol and didn't even have a sip until over two years out from surgery. IF I choose to have a drink, I simply add a teaspoon of rum to my protein shake. It still amazes me how differently it affects me now. The pouch will rule the decision in the end.

I just want to encourage our WLS sisters and brothers
to take this topic QUITE seriously. Addiction is "cunning,
baffling, powerful & patient." Please, PLEASE, if you find yourself
making deals, like.. "Oh it's just wine. I know I can handle beer better."
or "I'll only drink for a buzz sometimes" or "I'll wait till after 5:00
before I take the first drink."... you're most likely in for big trouble
if you aren't solid honest with yourself.
You will find many wonderful people who know JUST what you're
feeling, thinking, doing....right on the first page of of the phone book
listings???? Yes? In the "A" section. There is hope and recovery and joy there!
Feel free to PM me w/ questions.
DOS 10-1-99

Ok on the lighter subject brought up here and that is hamburger. I was told beef was the last protein I would be able to tolerate and that poultry and fish would be the first after surgery. Surprise I couldnt get chiken down no matter how much it was chewed. Beef on the other hand was the first solid protein I could tolorate. I do find that the supper lean ground beef is way to dry and harder to digest. There are still times 6 yeras out that I cant even stand the taste of chicken and I loved chicken before WLS.

Alcohol I do cook with it alot, I also enjoy a glass of wine with my meal on occasion and also have a beer once or twice a week for no other reason than I like the taste. Before WLS surgery I didnt really care a beer was a beer, now I enjoy the flavors of caft and European beers they are low on carbonation which to me is what ruins most American beers.

As far as addiction I traded food for cycling and can now enjoy food because of my cycling.

I also would say that if you are still not at goal keep away and addictions are something that each person must deal with. If you were unable to conquer the mental part of addiction after WLS then you may have a problem and please dont go down that road. It is probably one of the most destructive paths you can walk.

My opinion is there is nothing wrong with a drink once in a while just as in pre-WLS life. Alcohol can become a problem for anyone with an addictive personality as we MO peeps obviously do. Moderation is the key. But I also must say that I didn't have a drink until I reached goal. Just my own little rule. And hamburger!!! I can eat hamburger any day but chicken or turkey, bleghh! Hamburger rules in my world!

Thank you Damon - appreciate the words. I've been seeing a therapist for a while in regards to the food addictions (or more so, the underlying reasons as to why I choose food to comfort me) it was only then that I felt comfortable with the relationship to proceed with the WLS process.

The question of alcohol consumption was purely from a curiosity standpoint. It's only been a few months since I broke it off with my exfiancee - I spent over two years in a relationship where his alcoholism terrorized me (literally and emotionally.) I know that I will never ever trade my old food addicitions for alcohol due to that situation and loosing one of my very closest cousins to a drunk driver in my early 20's. Even at my present weight, one is my limit and thats usually once a month (sometimes every other month) or so with the girls. I just hadn't seen anything about it in some of the literature I'd gotten.

I do appreciate all the advice given above....it all make sense and I will continue to see the therapist to make sure that I dont suffer from any transference.

Hugs,
PG