[maryanncrow]

Dear fellow weight loss friends,

I was wondering about the addition of alcohol to one's diet in extreme moderation. I would like to take communion wine, but haven't done so since my operation in June 2007. I would like to know your experience with alcohol consumption and when you first allowed yourself to have alcohol after surgery. Many say a glass of red wine is good for your health, but is this so for us gastric bypass patients?

Thank you,
Mary Ann

[Trulykath]

I have had wine and a couple of mixed drinks....IN MODERATION!!!! There is worry about trading addictions, but taking wine at communion shouldn't worry you!

[ragdolldude]

The amount of communion wine is minimal compared to a "night on the town". I don't think 1/2 oz or so of wine will affect you. Now, if belong to a really liberal place of worship, where you got a glass of wine at communion, you might have a problem. One drink of wine or liquor usually wastes most people, ie, you become a cheap date. I've heard many women speak to this issue at support group meetings. One woman said her friend took her out on the town and were taking bets as to how many times she could get drunk and sober up in the same night. One drink is enough for most people ot get drunk. You sober up within 20-30 minutes, but your blood alcohol remains high. So, if you have multiple drinks this way, and feel good to drive, think twice. If you get stopped, your blood alchohol will probably test at the legally drunk level--it's your $$$.

[MsVickie]

Hi Maryann. I had my surgery in Sept. I have drank a glass of wine and even drink a beer on occasion. I have never been one to drink much of anything at any time. I found yes......it will make you woozy alot quicker with just a tad amount however my tummy accepted it fine. I would make sure someone is driving you when you take it just to make sure how you will react. This is just another part of our sugery we have to find out about for our selfs to see how we react. My wine was consumed on Valentines day. My hubby found the wine we have been both looking for a long time. I had a glass. It was great. So honey just make sure you have a driver. Let us know how this went for you.

[kiwi-leelee77]

Originally Posted by ragdolldude

The amount of communion wine is minimal compared to a "night on the town". I don't think 1/2 oz or so of wine will affect you. Now, if belong to a really liberal place of worship, where you got a glass of wine at communion, you might have a problem. One drink of wine or liquor usually wastes most people, ie, you become a cheap date. I've heard many women speak to this issue at support group meetings. One woman said her friend took her out on the town and were taking bets as to how many times she could get drunk and sober up in the same night. One drink is enough for most people ot get drunk. You sober up within 20-30 minutes, but your blood alcohol remains high. So, if you have multiple drinks this way, and feel good to drive, think twice. If you get stopped, your blood alchohol will probably test at the legally drunk level--it's your $$$.

Really, Really good to know!!!! Thanks for that advise Dave, I was wondering the same, and kind of figured that a very small amount would do it, but didnt realise that you sober up so quickly!! Excellent to know about the blood alcohol as well. I would be horrified to get pulled over and found to be 'drunk' even though I was 'fine', as I do not condone drinking and driving.
Cheers!

[qt82699]

i have drank 2 times since surgery. i was never much of a drinker that little bit of wine is not gonna hurt you, but it is up to you. i have noticed that if you have drinks you get drunk faster and harder but it dosnt seem to last as long either??

[Trulykath]

It hits you REALLLLLY fast...and it's gone REALLY fast....there are 4 women from my surgeon's office with pending DWIs....make sure you DO NOT DRIVE...no matter what...it hits your bloodstream and one glass will put you over the legal limit, no matter how good you feel!

[DocSanae]

One glass of alsohol for the bypass post op is said to have the same effect as 5 glasses for those with normal stomachs, so if you drink socially, make very sure 1) that you are with people who can take care of you if/when the need arises, and 2) never mix gasoline with alcohol e.g. don't even think of driving with even just one drink under your belt.

That said, communion wine should be fine, it's only a sip, and if you are worried, then, you can just take one lick, when the cup is brought to your lips, you aren't given an etire glass for one person. It's the symbol that's important, not the amount you drink.

[kiwi-leelee77]

Originally Posted by Trulykath

It hits you REALLLLLY fast...and it's gone REALLY fast....there are 4 women from my surgeon's office with pending DWIs....make sure you DO NOT DRIVE...no matter what...it hits your bloodstream and one glass will put you over the legal limit, no matter how good you feel!

Will the surgeon give them a letter for the courts? To explain that as a side effect of the WLS, the body does what it does much quicker yadda yadda?
Surely it was done in all innocence?

[DocSanae]

keewee, never ever say done in innocence where alcohol is concerened.
As a matter of fact, many surgeons acutually say no alcohol from now on to the post ops because of the easily drunk issue, and the fact that alcohol has only empty calories, no nutrition, and will hinder your weight loss.

Medically speaking, the route alcohol goes through is the same as with other foods, but since it's liquid, it's easliy absorbed. What this means is, it will be absorbed quickly because of the shortened route (bypass) and the concentration will go up much higher, too, because of the speed, and hit your system, and your liver much much faster and in a greater amount per drink post op.

Better be safe than sorry, no one want's to be involved in a fatal accident, even innocently.