Alcohol after sleeve gastrectomy: What is the deal?

Am I allowed to drink alcohol after sleeve gastrectomy? A fair question for those of us who enjoy a glass of wine or two on the odd occasion. So let’s tackle this in all it’s glory – the good, the bad and the ugly (so you don’t end up ugly on a night out…).

Let’s be unorthodox and start with the bad.

Alcohol is not recommended after bariatric surgery. There are a few reasons for this:

1. Alcohol gives you a lot of calories and not much else. Yes, okay, we know that red wine has an antioxidant called resveratrol in it that is linked with reduced risk of heart disease… However, you’re not getting any protein, fibre or really very many vitamins or minerals – we call these “empty calories”. Don’t believe me? Did you know that wine contains twice the number of calories per ml than soft drink does? Case in point.
2. The absorption of alcohol changes with gastric sleeve due to a change in stomach enzymes. Alcohol is absorbed more quickly and becomes more potent. Studies suggest alcohol after sleeve gastrectomy leads to a higher alcohol level for a longer time than those with a regular stomach.
3. For most people, a sleeve leads to drinking less alcohol (less room), but in some cases studies have shown alcohol use can actually increase and lead to alcohol dependence (this is the ugly…)

However…

I am not an advocate of banning people from having anything, and this includes alcohol. I always think that if you forbid someone, it makes them want it even more! Instead, moderation is the key and in our clinic we say you can have the odd drink from about six weeks post op as long as it’s not fizzy. The question to ask yourself though, is “Do I really feel like it?” Be careful not to get into the habit of drinking just because – it’s not worth the risk. Finally, remember not to eat and drink at the same time (see more about why here).

Be careful not to get into the habit of drinking just because – it’s not worth the risk.

So can you drink alcohol after sleeve gastrectomy?

The best option is not to drink after your sleeve, but if you do decide to drink, be careful. You’ll feel it much more than you used to (again – the ugly…), and there is a greater risk of developing a dependance on alcohol. Also, remember not to eat and drink at the same time. The key? The odd drink is fine, but make sure it stays as an occasional treat, rather than becoming a habit.