Re: question..ALCOHOL-PENNEY

[Guest guest]

Penney Siegle wrote:

>

> I have heard a lot of information in regards to what to eat and what

> is probably not a good idea to eat but have not had any response to my

> question of alcohol consumption. Not that it's an importance in my

> life for I barely drink, except for the occassional wine cooler at a

> BBQ or something. Is some alcohol okay or is it taboo? Any info

> would be great! Thanks!

>

> Penney in B.C.

>

You can't drink *at all* for six to twelve months and then you are

really not supposed to drink, period, because alcohol goes straight to

the liver after this surgery.

The patient manual references on it are at pages 21 and 22:

Pg 21, under " Work Status " :

" Over the ensuing years, careful follow up is needed to insure good

health. This maintenance includes taking vitamins on a daily basis,

annual and semi-annual medical check ups, and the adjustment to

lifestyle changes such as eating habits and abstinence from alcohol

consumption. Without this very necessary maintenance, the quality or

length of the patient’s life may be at risk. "

Pg 22, under " Alcohol Use " :

" Alcohol consumption is an important issue for potential Gastric Bypass

patients. Patients with morbid obesity have been shown to have fatty

infiltration of the liver. Usually after gastric bypass there is a

steady improvement in this fatty infiltration with weight loss. In some

cases, there can be additional damage to the liver following rapid

weight loss. Thus, patients after Gastric Bypass are at greater risk for

liver damage. Alcohol has a well-known toxic effect upon the liver. This

toxic effect can lead to liver injury, cirrhosis and death. It is

interesting to note that some people can drink a great deal of alcohol

with little or no liver damage, while others who drink a much smaller

amount and will develop severe liver damage and cirrhosis. After

Mini-Gastric Bypass is complete, the patient’s body will be greatly

changed. One of these changes pertains to the body’s ability to process

alcohol. Alcohol’s toxic effect upon the

liver may be enhanced after Mini-Gastric Bypass. Patients that disregard

this warning may risk potentially fatal liver damage. Because of the

serious dangers, patients will be required to make a commitment that

they will abstain from alcohol consumption entirely for the first six to

twelve months after the surgery. After this time, a very occasional

drink on a weekly or monthly basis would be reasonable. However, total

abstinence from alcohol consumption would be preferable. "

New Process Steps – Abstinence from Alcohol:

•Patients commit to complete abstinence from all alcohol consumption for

the first 6 months after operation and subsequently commit to limit

their alcohol consumption for the rest of their lives.

Kind regards,