# Weight loss surgery dopers: I'm coming! **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [April 4, 2006, 1:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weight-loss-surgery-dopers-im-coming/351246 "2006-04-04T13:31:56Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![AuntiePam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f19dbf/32.png) [@AuntiePam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AuntiePam)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2006, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weight-loss-surgery-dopers-im-coming/351246/101 "2006-06-01T20:19:33Z")
> [@norinew](#): > > I know _exactly_ what you mean. It seems like weight loss surgery is a lot like pregnancy in that, once you anounce it, people feel free to throw out the most horrific things they can! Is it okay to ask **about** a horror story related to this type of surgery? I’ve heard that alcohol is forbidden after these surgeries, because it can’t be processed normally – the effects are enhanced. That makes some sense to me. I always eat when I’m drinking (which isn’t often), and it seems that eating lessens the effect of the alcohol. My husband’s best friend had the surgery, and he drinks a lot. We’re worried about him, but I’m assuming that if there was any danger, his doctor would have told him. Has your doctor said anything about avoiding alcohol after the surgery? ---
**Author:** ![OpalCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8edcca/32.png) [@OpalCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OpalCat)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2006, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weight-loss-surgery-dopers-im-coming/351246/102 "2006-06-01T20:31:19Z")
My doctor told me to drink only “in moderation” and I do drink, sometimes get drunk, and have never had any ill effects from it. It effects me about the same as it did before surgery. (I get a lot more effect on an empty stomach now, same as then, so I usually eat before/during drinking). I had the same surgery that Norinew is having… (the DS) you say that your “husband’s best friend had the surgery” but I wonder what surgery he had? The DS is a fairly uncommon one, with the RNY gastric bypass being by far the most common, and it has totally different restrictions and health implications, as well as _permanently_ restricting the amount of food you can eat–which would of course affect how you absorb alcohol. ---
**Author:** ![AuntiePam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f19dbf/32.png) [@AuntiePam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AuntiePam)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2006, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weight-loss-surgery-dopers-im-coming/351246/103 "2006-06-01T20:54:06Z")
Thanks, Opal. We don’t know what kind of surgery he had – he just said he had a “gastric bypass”. He did say that it took a lot less beer to get him tipsy, after the surgery. ---
**Author:** ![OpalCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8edcca/32.png) [@OpalCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OpalCat)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2006, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weight-loss-surgery-dopers-im-coming/351246/104 "2006-06-01T21:10:21Z")
Yeah, he had the RNY (aka “gastric bypass”) which is a completely different procedure from what Norinew is having. ---
**Author:** ![VunderBob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/839c29/32.png) [@VunderBob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VunderBob)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2006, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weight-loss-surgery-dopers-im-coming/351246/105 "2006-06-02T00:53:37Z")
With a shorter small intestine, the alcohol is absorbed faster into the blood, but also metabolizes faster. The upsho is you get sloshed faster, and you come out of it quicker. I had a single beer with dinner in February, got half sloshed on it, and was clear 2 hours later. Occasional alcohol won’t generally hurt, but if you’e a heavy drinker, it can cause ulcer problems, as well as interfere with medication. Alcoholism is a big health risk here… ---
**Author:** ![VunderBob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/839c29/32.png) [@VunderBob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VunderBob)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2006, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weight-loss-surgery-dopers-im-coming/351246/106 "2006-06-02T00:57:18Z")
With a shorter small intestine, the alcohol is absorbed faster into the blood, but also metabolizes faster. The upsho is you get sloshed faster, and you come out of it quicker. I had a single beer with dinner in February, got half sloshed on it, and was clear 2 hours later. Occasional alcohol won’t generally hurt, but if you’e a heavy drinker, it can cause ulcer and other problems, as well as interfere with medication. Alcoholism is a big health risk here… ---
**Author:** ![Cheez\_Whia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/d26b3c/32.png) [@Cheez\_Whia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheez_Whia)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2006, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weight-loss-surgery-dopers-im-coming/351246/107 "2006-06-02T01:57:35Z")
Good luck, **Norinew**! I’ll be keeping you in my thoughts tomorrow! ---
**Author:** ![F.U.Shakespeare](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/aca169/32.png) [@F.U.Shakespeare](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/F.U.Shakespeare)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2006, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weight-loss-surgery-dopers-im-coming/351246/108 "2006-06-02T02:32:14Z")
Here’s another wishing you the best, **norinew**! ---
**Author:** ![Moirai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/96bed5/32.png) [@Moirai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moirai)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2006, 5:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weight-loss-surgery-dopers-im-coming/351246/109 "2006-06-02T05:22:41Z")
I’ll be thinking about you tomorrow **norinew**! **Opal** inspired a lot of people, no doubt about it. I thought the slide show she put up on her website was great- you could watch her shrink right before your eyes! 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![UntouchedTakeaway](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/d78d45/32.png) [@UntouchedTakeaway](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UntouchedTakeaway)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2006, 10:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weight-loss-surgery-dopers-im-coming/351246/110 "2006-06-02T10:30:15Z")
> [@norinew](#): > > In case any of you were wondering, my surgery was postponed. It was supposed to be May 24th, but my surgeon had to go out of town today, and didn’t want to go out of town with a post-op still in the hospital. My new date is June 2nd. One week from today. :eek: Norinew - You obviously won’t get this till you’re back from the hospital, but MUCH good luck to you! I am sure you will be a great success! VCNJ~ ---
**Author:** ![UntouchedTakeaway](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/d78d45/32.png) [@UntouchedTakeaway](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UntouchedTakeaway)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2006, 10:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weight-loss-surgery-dopers-im-coming/351246/111 "2006-06-02T10:33:04Z")
> [@AuntiePam](#): > > Is it okay to ask **about** a horror story related to this type of surgery? > > I’ve heard that alcohol is forbidden after these surgeries, because it can’t be processed normally – the effects are enhanced. That makes some sense to me. I always eat when I’m drinking (which isn’t often), and it seems that eating lessens the effect of the alcohol. > > My husband’s best friend had the surgery, and he drinks a lot. We’re worried about him, but I’m assuming that if there was any danger, his doctor would have told him. > > Has your doctor said anything about avoiding alcohol after the surgery? Pam: My surgeon requested (OK - he demanded - lol) that I refrain from alcohol for at least a year. I had a glass of Veuve (go figure!) on my 1 year surgery anniversary. I had _one_ glass and made it last about 45 minutes. I was fine with it. Other times, I’ve had a glass of white wine & felt it _immediately_. Things like alcohol & sugar hit the body as you said - not processed normally. I wasn’t a big drinker before surgery, so it hasn’t been an issue for me. Experiences vary, though, and some people can drink with no (apparent) ill effects. VCNJ~ ---
**Author:** ![Nutty\_Bunny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/d07c76/32.png) [@Nutty\_Bunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nutty_Bunny)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2006, 12:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weight-loss-surgery-dopers-im-coming/351246/112 "2006-06-02T12:51:09Z")
> [@OpalCat](#): > > Btw, with the surgery Norinew is having, she is ok to eat regular (not sugar-free) Jello if she doesn’t like the sugar-free kind. Oh, that’s not fair. 😉 In addition to Jello, I never want to eat sugar free popcicles, Wendy’s chili, and chicken broth ever again if I can help it. I’ve had enough of it for many, many lifetimes. My recovery was longer than expected, so that was my diet for about 3 months. My mother also had RNY almost 4 years ago and we both drink alcohol occasionally. We both get tipsy a lot more quickly and don’t have hangovers anymore. Three glasses of wine will get me hammered these days. We call ourselves “cheap dates”. Even though with the RNY surgery, we aren’t supposed to have a lot of sugar, I can get away with up to about 18 grams in a sitting (less, if my stomach is completely empty beforehand). Anything more than that and I’m a _very_ unhappy person. I’ll have to take an hour long nap after I’m finished sweating and being sick. ---
**Author:** ![OpalCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8edcca/32.png) [@OpalCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OpalCat)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2006, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weight-loss-surgery-dopers-im-coming/351246/113 "2006-06-02T15:41:44Z")
_looks guiltily at her ice cream bowl from last night_ Ugh. Much as I love a good nap, I don’t envy you on that one ☹ Norinew!!! I can’t wait to hear how your surgery went! (Does anyone know what time it was scheduled for?) ---
**Author:** ![Kitchen\_Wench](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/f08c70/32.png) [@Kitchen\_Wench](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kitchen_Wench)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2006, 1:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weight-loss-surgery-dopers-im-coming/351246/114 "2006-06-04T13:55:26Z")
Has anyone received any individual emails from Norine’s daughter? I haven’t heard that she’s ok and I’m starting to worry… ---
**Author:** ![Moirai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/96bed5/32.png) [@Moirai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moirai)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2006, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weight-loss-surgery-dopers-im-coming/351246/115 "2006-06-04T13:56:11Z")
I was just coming in to post the same question- any word? ---
**Author:** ![GingerOfTheNorth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/cdc98d/32.png) [@GingerOfTheNorth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GingerOfTheNorth)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2006, 2:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weight-loss-surgery-dopers-im-coming/351246/116 "2006-06-04T14:09:57Z")
On the phone with Norine just now. She is just fine. Her NG tube is out and her doctor is generous with the dilaudid. ---
**Author:** ![VunderBob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/839c29/32.png) [@VunderBob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VunderBob)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2006, 12:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weight-loss-surgery-dopers-im-coming/351246/117 "2006-06-06T12:51:57Z")
:dubious: And where is **Norine**? Home yet? Any problems? The silence is deafening. :taps foot impatiently: I gotta brag. Today is the 1 year anniversary of my R-N-Y… ---
**Author:** ![AuntiePam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f19dbf/32.png) [@AuntiePam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AuntiePam)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2006, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weight-loss-surgery-dopers-im-coming/351246/118 "2006-06-07T02:04:57Z")
Is it too soon to ask for another status report? 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![GingerOfTheNorth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/cdc98d/32.png) [@GingerOfTheNorth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GingerOfTheNorth)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2006, 4:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weight-loss-surgery-dopers-im-coming/351246/119 "2006-06-07T04:38:13Z")
I believe she was to be released today or tomorrow; however, her daughter’s monitor had gone kerblooie and she wouldn’t be able to update us. I can call the hospital again tomorrow if I remember. ---
**Author:** ![OpalCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8edcca/32.png) [@OpalCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OpalCat)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2006, 4:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weight-loss-surgery-dopers-im-coming/351246/120 "2006-06-07T04:45:43Z")
I can’t wait to see her posting again. I remember the first month after mine… a lot of it sucked, but I lost something like a pound a day and it was just so exciting! (Didn’t I go to your Christmas party like 10 days after my surgery or something, Ginger?) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weight-loss-surgery-dopers-im-coming/351246.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weight-loss-surgery-dopers-im-coming/351246.md?page=7)