Whether it’s Friday evening after a hard week of work or a party for a special occasion, alcoholic beverages often represent a way to unwind, celebrate, or indulge. However, for patients who have recently completed an endobariatric procedure, it’s better to put the glass or bottle away. From endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty (ESG) to a bariatric revision or an intragastric balloon procedure, the same rule applies. True You Weight Loss always recommends that alcohol be avoided for at least one year after the procedure takes place.
The five main reasons for this, listed below, are centered around the fact that alcohol can derail weight loss efforts and lead to other serious consequences. After investing so much effort into personal health and physical transformation, every endobariatric patient should be aware that alcohol is really just not worth the risk.
Plain and simple, alcohol and weight loss just do not mix. If a healthy lifestyle and losing weight are the ultimate goals, giving up alcohol is key. Meanwhile, choosing other outlets for pleasure and relaxation, such as exercise and constructive hobbies, will be beneficial to weight loss and wellness success.
Our patients ask us this all the time, and how you handle it is a personal decision. In many cases, it’s as simple as explaining to friends and colleagues that you are following a weight loss plan that includes improving your lifestyle and committing to certain positive changes, such as giving up alcohol. Others find creative solutions such as finding non-alcoholic substitutes, or just holding a drink during social situations. There is no “right” way to handle these scenarios, it’s all about whatever works for you and makes you feel the most comfortable. While it may be difficult to abstain, just remember that avoiding alcohol can bring you one step closer to your weight loss success!
Dr. Christopher McGowan, MD, a leader in endobariatrics, specializes in non-surgical obesity treatments and is triple-board-certified in Internal Medicine, Gastroenterology, and Obesity Medicine. Renowned for pioneering endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty (ESG) with over 2,000 procedures, his global influence and research contributions define him as a top expert.