Hi guys! I was banded May 27 and I am 15 pounds down and holding! I lost the 15 in the first week and a half... but have stayed the same for the last 2 weeks!

Anywho...how long was it before you started drinking alcohol? I am just nervous that I might get extremely ill!

Feedback is helpful!!!

I had a cocktail about 5 weeks out. There was a celebration and I went for it. Had no adverse reaction. Life goes on. Just don't turn to alcohol to replace your addiction with food... Be very careful switching one addiction for another. It happens.

I agree- transfer of addictions is a real concern. Also- alchohol has lots of calories, it will affect your weightloss. It's a personal decision I guess. If you do drink I would certainly do it with extreme moderation. Best Wishes!

Banded on may 25th. I have had 2 ---half glass's of wine on different occasions. Pre surgery I loved wine but since all I can taste is the alchohol in the wine. Yuck! I actully am a lil disapointed in that, but also a lil happy about it too!

I was about 8 weeks out before I tried a beer. Its considered a fairly big NO-NO considering the carbonation. I enjoyed it and had no real adverse effects (might have burped a bit more than usual? ) The biggest difficulty with alcohol is the calories. Any high calorie "drink" that slips on past the band is always best in moderation. There are other ways that alcohol hinders our greatest goal.....to be healthier and thinner...if you are interested check out this article.

Just How Bad Is Alcohol for Weight Loss?

Read more: Just How Bad Is Alcohol For Weight Loss? | LIVESTRONG.COM

I was banded on 4/27 and had a glass of wine on 5/21- no problems but I couldn't even finish the glass. On memorial weekend when I was out of town I had a bloody mary (on the rocks)- no problem there either (and it was so tasty!)...

I was banded on 5/14 and I've had at least one or two drinks every weekend since the second week. I make it a double whiskey on the rocks and it lasts me all night. I sip water the rest of the night. I usually only do this at concerts. So far, so good. I'm down 17 lbs in 4 weeks. Like everyone mentioned above, it's all about moderation. I can't (nor would I want to) do this every night and I fit it into my daily allotted calories. I also make sure I hit all my other targets before I indulge (protein, carbs, etc.) So you can do it, you just have to be smart about it!

Just How Bad Is Alcohol for Weight Loss?

Read more:

Just How Bad Is Alcohol For Weight Loss? | LIVESTRONG.COM

This is a EXCELLENT article, Debster!! Thanks for posting it!!! I was a major beer drinker prior to getting my band (on June 3rd). I guarantee beer was a lot of the reason I put on so much weight in the first place!! Not only did I consume a ton of empty calories, but I would binge eat afterward. Then, the next day my blood sugar was all out of whack so I would eat the wrong foods.

For me, my decision was to completely stop drinking alcohol once I got banded. I do worry about transfer of addictions.

Everyone is different, though.

My surgeon's recommendation was to wait one month. I can't say I made it that long. :-o I love my wine and cocktails. Even though I started back before I was supposed to, it never made me sick. But, a week ago, I decided to make a commitment to give up alcohol entirely until I reach my goal weight. I have been stuck around the same weight for a few weeks now and I know these empty liquid calories are not helping. I decided I didn't get this surgery just to get halfway to goal. So, I'm stepping it up and eliminating the alcohol and increasing my exercise.

No question alcohol works against you for fat loss. At 7 calories per gram it is the most dense fuel choice short of fat (9 grams) and nearly double that of carbs and Protein (4 grams).

Occasionally consuming alcohol though for some (me included) is a reward "food." When I'm focusing on a goal I stay away from it. When I'm on vacation or easing back a bit, I may "tie one on." After all, how relaxing is a campfire next to a cooler full of ice cold beer? :frown:

Education and moderation are the key... Have the alcohol if you desire, but clearly understand the consequences of it - both inside the body and out.

Brad

Thanks guys for the responses!

Update: I had some stoli vodka with some fruit juice... I was fine! Felt a little drunker then normal with the 2 cocktails... (dizzy buzzed.. haven't felt that in years!)

Not really sure if its because I haven't had a drop of booze in a month and a half or because of the blood absorption...but it made me a cheap date!!