I still go out and drink occasionally. I didn't drink beer for the first year after my band...I stuck with wine or cocktail with juice. I did notice my tolerance went way down and I never quite hit the "buzzed" stage. I would always go from sober to really drunk. I just had to learn to really watch how much I was drinking. I'm almost 3 years post banding...I drink beer when I go out....but really limit myself or I can get a really bad bloated feeling and cramps near my banding site.