I know they asked me a dozen times if I am a drinker before my surgery so I'm wondering if that means we can't drink now? I like to have a glass of wine maybe two or three times a year when I am out with friends.... Will this harm anything? Make me sick? I usually sip on the one glass for a couple of hours.... What about mixed drinks? Any Harm on Special occasions?

I've had wine several times since my surgery. Birthdays, Christmas, a nice dinner out... a glass or two. It didn't hurt me a bit. I didn't care for the carbs and calories, however! LOL! Just watch yourself, the alcohol really hit me quick and it didn't take much to make me a bit tipsy! :thumbup:

Hugs,

Only problem is calories. I am very social with a local fraternal organization and have to go to a lot of social functions. If I know I will be drinking that night I eat fewer calories and higher proteins during the day. No beer, but wine, and cocktails that are not overly sweet. Vodka and sugar free "red bull" is only about 170 calories. I also buy single serving powdered mixers. Order a vodka and water and make it any fruit flavor you want. I feel fine, still get a hangover on the occasional Sunday morning (haha), and just like food now, everything is about moderation.

Still social, and down 48lbs since Oct 19th band. Have fun, don't dwell/over think, and enjoy a new start!

I drink strong drinks every now and then found out no problem but I am done drinking for personal reasons..well religious reasons. I am not ashame of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Drinking is just not for me.

Thanks everyone. Aside from the tremendous amount of empty calories you have answered my questions. Like I said, I usually nurse one glass of wine all night long so quantity is not an issue for me, but I do like a nice glass on occasion... Lucky for me, two or three times a year is it... I couldn't imagine if I liked to drink a lot... Haha... Just wanted to make sure it wasn't on the total No-No list... Don't want to do anything that would harm the band... Haha...

The main concern is that they don't want to band alcoholics. However, I know an alcoholic who is banded. She has lost 100 lbs and is doing fine. I drink wine a couple times a week and am still losing at least 1 lb a week. I am sure you will be fine if you drink the way you say you want to.

Bandsters don't have the issue absorbing alcohol that bypass patients do. With the changes in their insides, my understanding is that they feel the effects much sooner and on much less quantity.

I just feel it much sooner and on much less quantity now because I don't consume as much now due to the caloric content. Call me a lightweight, in more ways than one! :thumbup:

But, I wasn't given a restriction on it by my surgeon..just beware of the calories (sigh)..

Denise

I haven't had any problems with alcohol. If I go to the clubs, I usually order something like a malibu rum w/ pineapple juice, an orange juice and vodka, or wine because carbonated beverages (beer, any hard liquor mixed with soda, champagne etc.) are not reccomended for Bandsters.

And I have found that I do not get drunk or tipsy faster after being banded. I think its different for everyone, and therefore not one of those "sure things that applies to everyone."

Basically, don't worry about having a glass of wine 3 times a year....really.

My surgeon advised during her seminar that you SHOULD choose lapband if you don't want to give up alcohol entirely. Current thinking is that alcohol can be very dangerous for gastric bypass because the alcohol goes straight into the system of a GB patient without being metabolized at all by the stomach. With lapband, the processing of alcohol is not changed at all. I will warn you that it may make your band feel tighter the next morning, though. Since alcohol is a diuretic, the rebound effect the next day may cause you to retain water which can make your band feel tighter.

My surgeon advised during her seminar that you SHOULD choose LAP-BAND® if you don't want to give up alcohol entirely. Current thinking is that alcohol can be very dangerous for gastric bypass because the alcohol goes straight into the system of a GB patient without being metabolized at all by the stomach. With LAP-BAND®, the processing of alcohol is not changed at all. I will warn you that it may make your band feel tighter the next morning, though. Since alcohol is a diuretic, the rebound effect the next day may cause you to retain Water which can make your band feel tighter.

OOOHHH, -that- explains it! I drank a more than I have since being banded on New Year's Day. My band was tight for a few days after. I was wondering what was going on.

Thanks!

Denise

Interesting points from all. Thank you... I am and have always been a lightweight when it comes to alcohol... Thats the only thing about me thats ever been "lightweight" Haha... I will be sure to drink plenty of water when I do have that glass of wine....

Relax and enjoy your occasional glass of wine! The only problem with alcohol is it can represent a lot of empty calories. But a glass here and there isn't a problem.

I think, perhaps, they ask if we're drinkers beforehand is that heavy drinkers can actually have erosion of the esophagus (that's what killed my ex) and also addiction (be it drugs, alcohol, food) can swap to another thing to be addicted to. They are trying to screen carefully is all, I THINK.