The Risks We Knew About

Before surgery, we were well aware of the warnings. We knew:

• Alcohol is absorbed faster after surgery, leading to higher blood alcohol levels.
• The smaller stomach means alcohol hits harder and faster.
• Studies show an increased risk of developing alcohol dependence post-surgery.

We went in feeling prepared, confident that we could handle it.
We told ourselves, “We’ll be careful. We’ll know when to stop.”

And for a while, that was true.

Reintroducing Alcohol

We started drinking again about two months post-op.
It felt like a step back towards normal life – something familiar and social after months of change and restriction.

Wine seemed to be the go-to for many in our support group because it’s non-carbonated and easier to tolerate.
We’re not wine drinkers, though. Our choices were more along the lines of:

• Apple Sourz mixed with J2O
• Brewdog and Beavertown beers

Cider didn’t sit well – too sugary, too harsh on the throat – and carbonated drinks were uncomfortable early on, as expected.

For both of us, alcohol hit differently.
We could each spend hours on a single drink, and the effect was sudden – one moment fine, the next tipsy – with no gradual build-up. Curiously, neither of us ever experienced hangovers anymore.

At this stage, we thought we’d found our balance.

When “Balance” Turned Into Dependence (James’ Story)

Over time, I (James) found myself slipping into something I never expected.

I wasn’t drinking every day – far from it.
But I started living for the weekends. I’d make it through the week, waiting for Friday night, because that’s when I could finally drink and “switch off.”

At first, it felt harmless – I’d earned it.
But gradually, it escalated.
What began as a few drinks became heavy weekends. I’d drink Friday and Saturday, sometimes into Sunday. It stopped being fun and became something darker – a release I couldn’t quite control.

Eventually, my GP told me I was a high-functioning alcoholic.
That hit hard.

The turning point came after a particularly bad weekend – three days of drinking, no sleep, no food, and a crash that ended with me calling the GP for help while still drunk.
It wasn’t dramatic or cinematic – just messy, human, and frightening.

Since then, I’ve been through therapy and gotten things back under control.
But it’s been a lesson I won’t forget.
Even when you know the risks, even when you think you’re fine – this surgery changes more than just your stomach. It changes how your brain and body process reward, stress, and comfort.

And alcohol feeds all three.

Kirsten’s Experience

Kirsten doesn’t drink anymore.
Because of her Crohn’s treatment, alcohol would interfere with her antibiotics and slow her recovery, so she’s chosen to stay completely alcohol-free.

Even before her diagnosis, she drank sparingly – mostly social occasions, and always with caution. Watching what happened to me only reinforced that choice.

In hindsight, her approach was the healthy one.

What We’ve Learned

Here’s what we wish we’d truly understood – not just read, but felt:

1. Tolerance isn’t a measure of control.
   After surgery, even small amounts of alcohol can have unpredictable effects.
2. Substitution is real.
   When food is no longer a coping mechanism, alcohol can easily take its place.
3. The line between relaxation and reliance is thinner than ever.
   What starts as “a few drinks to unwind” can quickly turn into dependency, even if you don’t drink daily.
4. Support matters.
   If you find yourself slipping, talk to someone – your GP, a therapist, or a support group. It’s not weakness; it’s awareness.

Where We Are Now

Kirsten remains alcohol-free as part of her recovery.
I drink only occasionally now – and with far more mindfulness. No more binge weekends, no more blurred lines.

This isn’t a story about regret – it’s one about reality.
We both went in prepared, educated, and confident that we could handle the risk. But the truth is, post-surgery, your relationship with alcohol changes in ways you can’t always anticipate.

If you take anything from this, let it be this: you don’t really know how alcohol will affect you until you’re there.
Be cautious. Be honest with yourself. And if you ever feel it’s getting out of hand – ask for help early.

About this content

This blog is written by James and Kirsten, a couple from the UK who had gastric sleeve surgery together in March 2024.

We started this blog because we couldn't find any sources of content that details before surgery, the surgery and then life post surgery - so we decided to write one ourselves.

Everything on this site is based on our own experience and the research we have done along the way. It is not medical advice. Gastric sleeve surgery is a serious procedure and every patient's journey is different. Please always consult your own bariatric team or GP before making any decisions about your health or treatment.

Some posts on this site may contain featured or sponsored content, or affiliate links. Where this is the case, it will always be clearly stated at the top of the article. Our opinions are always our own.

Publish Date: 25 June 2024 | Last Reviewed: 6 June 2026 | Next Planned Review: 6 December 2027