Gastric bypass surgery makes your stomach smaller and affects the way you digest food. A rapid weight loss usually occurs in within the first six months, while weight loss generally diminishes after about 12 to 18 months. In addition to changing your eating habits, this type of surgery can alter the way your body processes alcohol.
Gastric Bypass Diet
Pureed food provides the main source of nutrients for the first two to three weeks following a gastric bypass surgery. Your smaller stomach only holds a few bites of food at first. You may need to limit the intake of fluids for about one hour before mealtimes. The University of Maryland Medical Center recommends taking small sips of fluids and avoiding liquids that contain calories, including alcohol.
Alcohol
Independent studies conducted by Swedish researchers and by Stanford University both suggest that gastric bypass surgery may affect your ability to process alcohol. Breath alcohol and blood alcohol testing indicate that bypass patients may have a higher level of alcohol in their bloodstreams and may require more time to process the alcohol. After gastric bypass surgery, your body may produce less dehydrogenase, an enzyme necessary for metabolizing alcohol.
Addictions
Although more research is necessary, some gastric bypass patients show an increased risk of alcohol abuse and addiction. The Swedish study found that the subjects who underwent bypass surgery had almost twice the risk of requiring inpatient treatment for alcohol abuse as weight-loss patients who previously underwent procedures such as gastric banding or stomach stapling procedures. An increased risk of alcohol dependency may also stem from the transference of a food addiction to an addiction to alcohol.
Precautions
Avoid or limit your intake of alcohol, especially if it interferes with your ability to follow your recommended diet. Use caution when drinking alcohol after your surgery, especially if you intend to drive or use dangerous machinery. One drink may feel like two. Talk to your doctor if you think you are developing an addiction or if you have a problem controlling your alcohol consumption.
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