Question:
Alcohol
I am turn 52 next Thursday which will put me 2 1/2 weeks post-op....they are having a big Birthday Bash for me....although I know it is not good for me and certainly isn't recommended, will it kill me if I have 1 glass of red wine? Or failing that a Vodka and Clamata Juice? — Fredricka MacLean (posted on July 11, 2008)
July 10, 2008
Fredrica, It certainly won't kill you, but it might maime you, lol. I
don't think I would do it at only 2 weeks out. Ya want to dump on your
guests? Sorry. ;o)
— SkinnyLynni2B
July 10, 2008
If you had RNY it will burn like hell. I could not hardly get water down
at 2-1/2 Weeks because of the internal stitched in my gut.
Why not show everyone what you are made of and just have a glass of bottled
water. I always have a New Year Eve Party, and it was three weeks after my
surgery. I had drinks for everyone as usually, but I had a fancy bottle of
imported water with no sparking, just flat, and that is what I drank. I
think I gained more respect from my freinds and family thant I ever did
before because I use to drink at any occision. I would never go back. I
got fat from peer pressure because I had to eat what everyone else did, but
they did not get fat, Just me. Now I am thinner, and that is thinner than
many of my freinds, I got to parties several times a week and they eat and
drink and I drink water, or if I find a vegatable or fresh fruit or some
cheese that is what I eat. 6 months from now you will be glad that you
showed your resistance to peer pressure and followed the rules. Best of
Success to you.
— William (Bill) wmil
July 10, 2008
Are you serious? You're not even on solid food yet right? I don't know
what surgery you've had but either way, you're asking for trouble. You
need to start RIGHT NOW having celebrations without food and drink being
the focal point. You can go to the birthday celebration, celebrate the
fact that you were born, have a WONDERFUL time and celebrate this wonderful
change you're making in your life. You deserve a pat on the back for
having this surgery, but a little kick in the pants for even thinking about
booze right now. I don't mean to sound as harsh as this reads, but your
head is sending you to a place that's going to get you in serious trouble
down the road, or maybe even right now, if you pour alcohol into that
stomach of yours only 2.5 weeks out. There's a high percentage of us that
end up substance abusers because we replace food with alcohol to get the
dopamine release we used to get from food. Dopamine is the "happy
chemical" our brain releases when we enjoy something (like food). We
can't do that anymore, so it's really important to make sure you have
really healthy habits from now on. My doctor asks for at least one year of
abstinence from alcohol for this reason, so that you have a chance to set
up healthy habits without this risk. Will it kill you? Heck, I don't
know. Is it a smart move? NO. Why try so hard to get around the rules,
instead, why not try to challenge this thinking that is putting you in the
mindframe to try to get around the rules in the first place! I wish you
many, many more healthy, happy birthdays, and may the best day in your life
so far be the worst day you'll ever have to face in the future. Stay away
from the alcohol, follow what your doctors tell you. If you don't
understand why the rules are set up the way they are, ask. You deserve to
know why, and if you know, it's usually easier to follow the rules. Good
Luck!
— Shirley D.
July 10, 2008
Here! Here! I agree w/Bill & Shirley. In addition to what they
said...if you had RNY...your body's going to absorb the alcohol at a
completely different rate and what you may think of as one drink (a glass
of wine) that in the past may not have really affected you pre-op may knock
you on your ass right now. Especially because your surgery is so recent
that you can't even eat solid food to help absorb any of it. I'd say get
yourself a fancy looking diluted glass of fruit juice, throw a little
decorative umbrella in it with a few slices of pineapple or something for
additional decorations (but don't eat them...you're too 'new' to be eating
them yet) and call it a happy birthday. Just be careful with the
decorative drink...don't get a non-alcoholic pina colada or something...too
much sugar and will likely make you sick. Have diluted grape juice or
something...you could even put that in a wine glass and who'd know the
difference but you? Have a happy, HEALTHY and safe birthday.
— Hollywog
July 11, 2008
Don't do it! The alcohol can cause an ulcer. It's against the rules. Why
did you have the surgery in the first place? I would think it would be to
live a healthier and longer life. So why do you want to go and muck it all
up? Besides, you don't need alcohol (or cake for that matter) to have a
good time with friends and family. At 2 1/2 weeks out, you shouldn't even
be thinking about drinking alcohol.
— kmvanvliet
July 11, 2008
I have to agree with what everybody else is posting so far. The fact that
you even worded it this way, "will it kill me...?" makes me ask
"Are you willing to die for it?" The fact you're already looking
for ways to drink something that's not only empty calories but could do
serious damage (not to mention HURT), makes me worry about your long-term
success. Something must have made you serious enough to go through the
surgery in the first place. You need to find that seriousess again and fast
before those old habits come back. Consider your recovery time DETOX from
all those old habits (sugar, fat, carbs, soda, alcohol, caffiene, etc.) and
remove them from your life. I did and I haven't looked back!!
— suezahn4me
July 11, 2008
Tomatoe juice alone...WITHOUT the alcohol will be unbearable and your party
will be over! You shouldn't even have raw veggies ESPECIALLY juice for at
least 3 months...I couldn't handle juices for over a year. And forget
carbonated drinks...They still irritate my pouch...Make it a rule..."I
will not drink my calories" Good rule to have...Also..."I will
eat to live, not live to eat" Another good rule...The more I think of
all the trouble you can get into having a b-day party...the more worried I
get for you! LOL PLEASE be careful sweetie...Watch that cake too! I can
just see you now...SOMETHING is gonna have you rolling on the floor in
pain...Be sensible and have fun opening gifts and enjoying people that came
to celebrate your life...Don't try to enjoy the food and drinks! You won't!
LOL Sorry!
— .Anita R.
July 11, 2008
you should wait at least 4 months before you try alcohol!! Don't do it
— Alvernlaw
July 11, 2008
I'm going against the majority here. 1 glass of wine will not hurt you or
cause dumping or create some downward spiral that will send you into the
pits of hell or whatever else sounds so horrible. Make sure you eat
something (i recommend a nice bit of cheese like a Babybel) just to make
sure you have something in your pouch. Take small sips to make it last an
hour and that's it. Your worst enemy would be the birthday cake - that
would cause much embarrassment and be much worse than a glass of wine!! I
had RNY on 6/5/08 and have had a glass of wine on 3 or 4 occasions without
incident. Just be smart about it.
— monibunnie
July 11, 2008
I think it will be ok. I am post rny about 10 weeks and at 4 or 5 weeks - i
had a couple sips of whiskey (sips not shots) and I handled it fine. Make
sure you have some food in your pouch first.
— bikermama
July 11, 2008
I made a statement on the 4th of July last year by not eating one bite of
food whatsoever!!! We have a big bbq every year and I usually cook for
about 2 days for the big event. I decided to make the occasion about what
it is supposed to be, getting together with family and friends and having
fun celebrating the independence of the country... period! I did not make
it about the food at all, I didn't even lick my fingers while cooking. I
drank 3 protein shakes that day and drank lots of water in pretty,
decorative glasses and had a wonderful time. People commented on how
strong a person I was and made them re-evaluate what celebrations are all
about. I was pretty proud of myself too.
I don't recommend it, especially so soon after surgery. The room spinning,
sweating, getting intoxicated very quickly and possibly dumping and
spending quality time in the bathroom rather than with your guests doesn't
sound like a great time to me.
Suggestion: buy some diet cranberry juice or some diet V8 Splash and put
them in a martini glass or wine glass and enjoy. You shouldn't have to
have alcohol to have a good time.
Happy birthday,
Dawn Vickers, RN, BLC, CLC
— DawnVic
July 11, 2008
Alcohol is dehydrating. Exactly what you don't need right now. I wouldn't
do it!
— GlitterGal
July 11, 2008
Honey...check with your surgeon....don't know...cause I could hardly take
anything but water based drinks....your friend Linda
— LindaA
July 11, 2008
With a total of 13 responses "voting" NO and ONLY 2 saying
YES...I think I'd tend to go with the majority here...but more
importantly...the only person I'd (personally) be asking AND listening to
would be my Doctor !! I'm sure you'll have a Happy Birthday without the
wine and just be happy to be spending YOUR special day...with Friends !!
— debz_58
July 12, 2008
The main thing that I have noticed is the effect of the alcohol and how we
make BAD choices after we drink....well just because you had surgery
doesn't mean you will be able to make all of these great choices...That's
alcohol's job. The main thing that happened to me was that once I felt a
bit buzzed, I ate the foods I should not have...and then wanted to drink
more. I find the transfer of addiction from food to alcohol to occur very
quickly and when ever I am out for a nice dinner, I wonder what drink I
would order since I can't have some of the food I use to eat....I don't
order the drink but I sure want to. That's just me...you know yourself and
if you are saying "it is not good for me" then that's your
answer. Good Luck
— pjlewis1
July 12, 2008
I am 3 1/2 weeks post op and sipped about half a glass of white wine at a
wedding. I didn't have any problems with it and I don't plan on making a
habit of it. I also was drinking water the whole time.
lisa
— Lisa B.
July 12, 2008
Not begin big on words on this topic, I would say NO!.
— Ira Sansolo
July 12, 2008
Advice that my doctor gave me which makes sence is do not try anything new
outside your home. especially alcohol, see how your body reacts first. (As
i see it , i wouldnt try it, not worth it)
— sparklemoon
July 12, 2008
I think 2 1/2 weeks is too soon for the reasons everyone has mentioned...
but I don't think it would kill you. I'm not a doctor tho. ;)
Your tolerance for food has changed and its quite possible your tolerance
for alcohol will have changed as well.... so I do think you would be
running a huge risk of making yourself sick. It would be a shame to miss
out on your big birthday bash over a glass of wine.
— mrsidknee
July 13, 2008
Do it if you want to dump miserably for several hours or even worse pain
ever. My sister drank about 2 ozs of Gin and about 6 ozs of beer for her
birthday get together thrown by her daughter at a gambling place and less
than 30 minutes later she was sicker than she could ever imagine. She was a
few weeks out and she ended up in ER and pouch was spasaming so bad they
had to give her meds to stop it. Imitate with the tomato juice with no
sugar added and that may even burn a bit due to it takes about 6 to 8 weeks
for the pouch to heal.
— mspisces
July 13, 2008
It won't kill you but you will get an almost immediate buzz. I'm 4.5 yrs
post op and I still don't tolerate alcohol very well. I have to eat first,
then sip drinks slowly in order to avoid getting all out drunk! The wine
would probably be better than the vodka. By the way Happy Birthday!
— CHARLYLVN
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