I have not. Used to party back in the day but I have relatives who are alcoholics (thankfully recovered) but I know how hard that addiction can be.

That said, my hairdresser who also had WLS admits to me that she drinks too much now and replaced food with alcohol. She thinks it was because of the bar hopping, and men paying attention to her where before they hadn't.

Still - its such a bad addiction to kick so I feel bad for anyone struggling with it.

Chocolate - I am with you. Have been struggling myself. If you need a buddy, PM me and we'll try and support ourselves through this.

I did for a while but my body was not happy with it so I cut back and only drink a little bit

In my 20's I worked in a bar, had not yet gotten married, and had no one to answer to but myself. Needless to say, I drank. Often. When I started dating my husband, it slowed. When I finished school, it basically stopped. Now, I think the last drink I had was New Years. Its just not appealing to me, but I do work 1st shift. I saw a few different women while bartending who had a new lust for the bar scene after surgery. Its a classic transfer addiction, along with new found confidence and attention from men. Or at least it was in the cases I saw. Be proud you recognized the issue now, before your friendly bartender is lifting your naked rear off the toilet you blacked out on...

I'm there as well. I was a big wine drinker to begin with, but I've noticed I drink more than I used to. Now though I've switched to harder stuff because there are fewer calories. I don't feel that it's become a problem as of yet, but I am definitely aware that I have GOT to keep it in check. I've made a conscious effort to cut back as well and I'm for sure interested in helping each other out.

I drink on occasion but stick to wine only. I drink less now than I did before surgery. There are folks on both sides of the fence when it comes to transfer addiction to alcohol after wls. I think that is why the gastric surgeons do not mention it too much. I was very concerned with this prior to my surgery. Mainly because my first marriage was to a raging alcoholic. I do know that I could never be like him so I am no longer concerned. I just need to keep it in check and limited. Best wishes for those that are struggling.

Don't think I drink more, can't handle as much as I used to, but definitely pay more attention to it than I used to. My ex nearly killed himself with alcohol, so that got my attention in a big way.
I notice that if I'm tired, even one drink can make me feel like I shouldn't be driving, so I rarely drink outside of home unless I'm having a meal and several hours of visiting before heading home, even then, it's just 1.
I've heard that with RNY, it can hit you in an "all of a sudden" way, but I don't experience that with my sleeve.

I had been told that booze would hit you with only a small amount. I treied it and fnd this not to be the case for myself. I still have the high tolerance I always had. Beer my chioce of drink.simply makes my pouch full! I can see the old addiction.is still there so I just leave it alone. Don't need it anyway!

I was a big fan of mixed drinks. Vodka, whiskey, rum...shooters... I helped out a benefit the bar I used to work at hosted for a fellow bartender. I was the jellow shot girl, and since many people were my old regulars everybody wanted to buy me one. For old times sake. One jellow shot, and I was in the basement of the bar laying flat with what can only be desribed as a horrific painful bubble?... Needless to say, I stuck to selling them rather than partaking. Even prior to surgery, when I was a drunk... I din't like the feeling of not being in control of my body. Being hammered wasn't ever a feeling I enjoyed, and now since it takes WAY less to get me there I just avoid it.

I was worried for a bit.... seemed we were going out sometimes 2x per week. But things have settled WAY DOWN and now I drink, maybe a few mic lites, once a month, on occasion, twice.

I think my transfer has ended up thrift store shopping. Sounds funny, and i'd rather it be that than some other option, BUT it gets crazy too! I also took up coffee drinking, and NEVER was a coffee drinker before. My nut said as long as I keep it to no more than 2 cups a day, I am good...

I think its great you are reaching out!!!

I never really drank before WLS. Now about 5 years post op, I have maybe one or two drinks about 4-5 times a year. It does hit you hard and I can see how it can be addicting.

This is definitely something to talk about. I occasionally have a glass of wine. I did over indulge once and felt awful. Also I gained a few pounds that weekend and I realized the empty calories from the wine and the extra munching I did to soak up some of the alcohol was not worth it.
Thanks for bringing up a great subject.
Shelley

I completely lost my taste for alcohol after surgery. 6 months out I managed to nurse a summertime gin & tonic for an entire evening. Every now and then I'll have an ounce or two of white wine. Much more than that and I either get very drunk very quickly or sick, neither of which is a good outcome.
The toughest part is being around friends at the dinner table who tend to consume lots of wine during the evening. It's no fun being the only totally sober person in the room.
Fortunately, there are reasonable alternatives.....

I would say I drink more often now, wine mostly but not nearly as much. The alcohol affects me differently now than it did before and I feel the affects much sooner. I used to be a double Jack and Coke girl and could keep up with the boys. Now I have 3 glasses of wine and I'm done. My friends and husband definitely drink a lot more than I do.

I have alcoholics in my family and I know from past experiences myself I black out and behave badly (10ft tall and bulletproof attitude) when I've had to much so I'm extra careful when I drink.

I have to be honest, I only waited 2 mos after surgery to drink again but had no ill effects and I stuck mostly to white wine.

Luckily I never had a taste for alcohol except for a pina colada a few times a year but I know that one would likely kill me!!! So it doesn't bother me not to drink.

Chocolate- the alcohol could be the key to your recent gain so if you can curb it a bit you might see a difference. Good luck, you are a strong woman!! K