There's no set amount if time. My nutritionist warned me against drinking at all. I have had some wine but it's not worth it to me to push it.

I don't know about the sleeve; for gastric bypass I was told that we were not to drink period. It sounded like it was linked to the high percentage of gastric bypass patients that become alcoholic after having the surgery.

I didn't drink before, so I didn't even ask, bit I know so e do..and some people on here said, a little drink, goes a long way, and they said it hit them fast! Just be sure to check, and call your Bariactric office.

Remember, alcohol can put the pounds on, and with smaller amounts of food in your pouch, or sleeve, or no food in there, cause we digest it so much faster I guess, you may get really sick, or full,and I don't know what else.

Plus, you can't have carbonated mixers, ...

Boo

My Surgeon said to wait a year before even trying a drink, due to your body still adjusting to the surgery. You have a higher risk of alcohol poisoning with the new pipes! Plus a higher risk of becoming an alcoholic, with replacing one habit with another. As they said with anything it is all in moderation.

Mine said to wait a year as well. Something about the liver being enlarged after surgery and rapid weight loss. A male friend of mine that had the bypass in oct, drank a 1/2 glass of wine and got completely drunk and sick.
If you do, becareful.

Mine said a year too.

Be very careful Hon, There is real truth to the transfer addiction thing. I was a casual drinker before surgery, but when I broke my tailbone in November, I couldn't take Ibuprofen and so turned to booze for pain relief. I became a full blown alcoholic and are now just beating this thing. It's a slippery slope for WLS folks.

Thank all of you, I was curious about it. I didn't drink before I had surgery. The last time was about 3ys ago, but I was just wondering what would happen if I did have a drink. Now I know its better to stay away from it completely.

Listen to Senecaqrl, she knows what she's talking about.

All programs vary from never to a few months post op. I think mine said 6 months....

My program also said never drink. I waited 10 months. I rarely drank before WLS and when I tried after 10 months It hits you like a truck and the feeling after just a few sips is wonderful and relaxing. Now this is where I can see people getting hooked on alcohol instead of food. Since many of us already have an addiction (food) transferring that addiction to alcohol could happen so easily. At almost 5 years post op, I still have maybe 1-2 drinks ever few months so I think in moderation it can be ok

Don't forget too, that you're at a much higher risk of ulcers after WLS. So, if you do choose to drink alcohol, sparingly, and maybe an hour right before a meal so your food helps cushion the impact. I do notice that one drink can have a big impact, even with my sleeve, no bypass, so no driving!

Mine said I could have a drink very occasionally as alcohol can cause ulcers. I have a glass of wine here and there.

I loved German wine. Less sugar than American wine. But if I have a glass or two, I must dilute it with ice. Our stomachs are not like they were before the surgery. I had the sleeve.Not speaking of the calories that alcohol brings with it. I'm almost 2 yrs. out. Stabilized dropped over 120 pds and I think my body has landed where it's going to be. Solid size ten. I was a 22. So my advise is leave it alone. If you have had your surgery in the past year or less. You can get ulcers as well.

Check with your Doctor or nutritionist first. And when they give the ok, be sure to take it slow. Alcohol is absorbed very quickly after WLS. You can get very drunk very fast. So take it slow and pay attention so you know how your body tolerates alcohol.
Shelley