No, you should avoid from drinking alcohol after weight loss surgery for at least a year. If you consider that to be a very long time, be sure to abstain from alcohol for the first six months following surgery, which is when you will see rapid weight loss. Consult with your dietician and bariatric surgeon before consuming alcohol.
When you have surgery on your abdomen or intestines, your abdomen is small. It does not usually have food for digestion. Now that your stomach is small and can hold small amounts of food, alcohol can pass quickly.
You also pass large volumes through your intestines, where it enters your bloodstream. Bariatric surgery can sometimes lead to dramatic and severe complications within the first 6 to 12 months. However, this is not a permanent state.
You see, surgery is a tool, a tool that gives you a head start on changing some of the diet, lifestyle, and exercise. But in the end, you have to keep going in order to win the race. This is also true of alcohol.
At first, you may not see any side effects from alcoholism or overindulgence, but eventually, you will see negative effects in your life. Alcohol is one of the things we believe will be released on its own, if possible, for the first 12 months after surgery.
Give yourself time to develop eating habits and new relationships without the addition of alcohol. After this time, it is best to avoid alcohol, but alcohol can sometimes be good for some people.
Remember that you will not be able to drink as much as you used to and that you will watch this carefully. It is always important to check your alcohol intake and to discuss your alcohol with your surgeon or general practitioner.
Drinking Alcohol After Bariatric Surgery
Many people who are considering surgery to lose weight or who have had the operation in the past wonder whether alcohol is safe after surgery for the loss.
The short answer is – but it is not, if so, so extreme. Here are the main reasons why it is important to be cautious about drinking alcohol after surgery:
- Most alcohol enters the small intestine, and because it takes less time for surgery to reach the small intestine, it is normal easy to get into the bloodstream. By consuming alcohol as before weight loss surgery, the toxins occur in small amounts and the effects are long-lasting.
- Studies show that bowel surgery makes patients more likely to feel the effects of alcohol and therefore pregnant patients are more likely to start overdosing.
- Risk factors include early drinking, smoking, childhood, and being a man. In the case of young men, hand surgery has not shown a significant risk of alcoholism, so it may be considered rather than abdominal surgery.
- Alcohol abuse can also affect women and former alcoholics. The most dangerous time, in this case, is 2-3 years after surgery. Emotional consumption and addiction lead to obesity.
- Bariatric surgery reverses or even completely eliminates the effects of foods that reduce stress, depression, and anxiety and this may cause the patient to seek “help” elsewhere. Alcohol can be used to replace food, drugs (including severe pain), gambling, shopping, etc.
- Wine has a lot of calories and no nutrition; therefore, drinking overcomes the goal of obesity. For example, one glass of wine contains twice as many calories as one glass of lemonade. Alcohol is one of the most common causes of weight gain after surgery.
When can you drink alcohol after weight loss surgery?
Doctors do not recommend alcohol consumption for 1 year. There is a high probability of nausea and vomiting when you drink alcohol after the first recovery period. Do not be alarmed if nausea begins if you use alcohol. This may be getting fresh air or taking prescription medications.
It can be safe if done in moderation and with caution. There is nothing that prevents moderate and responsible use of alcohol after surgery, after going through the initial recovery period. Even if you want to drink alcohol by the end of your first year, do it very carefully and start gradually.
Analyze your body’s reaction after 1 glass of alcohol. Usually do not drink more than 2 glasses. If there is a situation that bothers you, be sure to call your doctor immediately and report your situation.
References:
https://www.drhasanerdem.com/en/how-long-after-gastric-sleeve-can-you-drink-alcohol/
