RE: Alcohol and dumping

August 12, 2002

Sorry you had to learn the hard way but I am very glad you were pulled over.

I am not trying to be mean but if you hadn't been pulled over you might have

hurt yourself or someone else. Everyone should -- even if you have NEVER had

WLS -- NEVER DRINK AND DRIVE. One sip of alcohol you don't drive. Too much

can go wrong. YOu could kill someone else, damage your car or someone else's

property or hurt yourself. It is a hard way to learn but you did. A few

other reasons not to have alcohol that you may not know: higher levels of

pancreatitis (I had the nonalcoholic variety because I don't drink at all

and let me tell you -- you have NEVER felt pain until you had pancreatitis.

If there is any way to avoid it, once you have it you will do everything to

never experience it again.) The other problem that alcohol can cause us post

op is a cirrhosis of the liver. I am trying to remember where I read it -- I

know I have it here somewhere but I have dozens of files dealing with WLS so

forgive me for not having the source -- but sporadic drinking can cause

cirrhosis in WLS patients. The part of the intestine that breaks down

alcohol has been bypassed in our systems. It is just like injecting the

alcohol directly into our bloodstream.

Rasley

mailto:drasley@...

BTC, Columbus, 10/7/98

> Alcohol and dumping

>

> I just had a terrible experience with alcohol. After an incredibly

> heathful week on vacation in L.A., I went to my sister's house for a

> last visit and to watch videos. I hadn't had much to eat in the

> previous 2 days. I had three drinks at her house over a 5 hour

> period. I felt fine when it was time to go home. I got in my car to

> drive home and about halfway there I began to feel funny. In a flash

> I went from O.K. to drunk. To make matters worse, there just happened

> to be a police car behind me that pulled me over. I tested positive

> for alcohol and got a DUI.

>

> I have never had an alcohol problem...haven't had a drink since the

> night before surgery, 20 months ago. Despite being 250 pounds, this

> small amount of alcohol ripped me.

>

> After this experience, I looked this problem up on the internet. All

> I could find on one website was a paragraph which stated:

>

> " Alcohol- After the gastric bypass surgey, alcohol can be dangerous.

> It is absorbed much more quickly after surgery and will reach much

> higher levels in the blood, which flows into the liver. You will

> experience a greater degree of intoxication on very little alcohol

> because of this rapid absorption. The simple rule is: Never more than

> two drinks (standard bar size) within a 24 hour period- and only on

> special occasions, such as a birthday or anniversary. And, if you

> choose to drink alcohol, do not drive. "

>

> I know people have been talking about sugar free Margarita mix and

> such. Lots of people drink socially post-surgery with no bad effects.

> Just be aware that even drinking in moderation can backfire on you.

> Make sure you have something in your stomach. A high body weight and

> spacing out drinks is no guaranteed protection against alcohol

> dumping.

>

> As embarrassing as it is to share this experience, I hope forewarned

> is forearmed for my fellow bypassers. I now, for the first time in my

> life, have tons of damage to clean up just because of this incident.

> Be careful out there.

>

> Vicki

>

> Homepage: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Graduate-OSSG

>

> Unsubscribe: mailto:Graduate-OSSG-unsubscribe

>

August 12, 2002

I disagree with what is written below. She DOES deserve the same punishment

as anyone who drinks and drives. Don't you guys get it -- DO NOT DRINK AND

DRIVE. Post op or not, NO ONE should decide that after one drink or two or

whatever that they are sober enough to drive. Designated drivers are the way

to go or drink at home. Good grief. Sorry -- I know people think they can

handle their alcohol but it is pure stupidity to get behind the wheel of a

car if you have had any alcohol -- this goes for ANYONE not just postop WLS

patients. If you break the law you deserve the punishment. Should a judge go

lighter on someone? NO! There is been so much said about DO NOT DRINK AND

DRIVE. That has been around for decades -- that saying. The saying is do not

drink more than one drink or two drinks but DO NOT DRINK AND DRIVE. If you

are drunk I thank God you get arrested and feel sorry for the rest of the

world on the roads with you. yes we have had surgery. yes we process

food/beverage differently. However, we NEED to be responsible. Drinking and

not driving is one way. Designate a driver who has had no alcohol.

Rasley

mailto:drasley@...

BTC, Columbus, 10/7/98

>

> Big sympathetic hugs. Personally, I think you should go to court,

> explain to

> the judge WHY this happened, and say you are willing to accept your

> punishment, but just wanted to let the court know that this condition

> exists. Perhaps they will go lighter on your sentence under the

> circumstances. You don't deserve the same punishment as people

> who willingly

> drink and drive habitually.

>

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August 12, 2002