I have a group of friends who are 'party animals'. As an example we have a summer home, and individual guests will regularly bring a 40-pack of beer for a Saturday visit, or a 'handle' (a 750 ml) large bottle of (pick your hard stuff) and mixers.

I am a Lap Band patient and admittedly party too, however knowing that my weight is health-affecting, need to slim down.

I am trying to find an 'acceptable' alternative to significant beer and random liquor consumption. I have given up beer for the last 14 months and I came across conflicting anecdotes regarding vodka, which seems to be the low-calorie / lo carb drink of choice for Lap Banders -

1. Vodka is the lowest calorie liquor and the best choice especially when combined with crystal lite
   
2. Vodka has 7 calories per gram which is equivalent to lard or Crisco (pure fat)
   
3. Vodka is made from various source materials (potatoes [carbs], grain ,other)
   

In consulting my bariatric surgeon on which path to choose (band or bypass) he indicated if a patient took in the most calories from liquid sources (fraps, Soups, sauces, liquor (?)) he would recommend gastric bypass.

I find myself drinking regularly to counteract work related stress, I am very highly compensated for my work (6+ figures / and have hit 7 figures) and need some stress relief - not interested in 'seek help' from other sources and reply’s (fyi)...

I see gastric bypass patients losing 100+ pounds and am getting frustrated with limited weight loss which I m sure is affected by alcohol consumption.

What are band patients doing (consuming / using) for alcohol consumption while trying to progress with weight loss????

Save the liquor soap box for your congregation – just answer the question pls…

Thanks/ Banded Bob

^{I feel you, banded bob, I really do. I work a job that takes a lot out of me and causes me extreme stress, but the money is good, so I keep going in for more. I don't do much booze anymore because of the effect it had on my triglycerides. I'm doing prescription anti-anxiety medicine because the shrink figures now that I am of a healthier weight, the stress will be what prematurely kills me.}

^{Stay away from the drinks that involve fruit juices - lots of empty calories there. If you need a mixer, diet cranberry juice is not too bad and will help save some of the calories. I have only had alcohol 4 times since I was banded 6 months ago (OMG, it is 6 months, isn't it) but when I had it I was in a social setting, so I ordered only an appetizer, that I shared with the person next to me, and the alcohol was allowed to have its full effect on me. Also, I mixed hard liquor and beer, which is always interesting. But I've always been a two drinks under the table kind of girl...}

Banded Bob,

Thank you for this post

I do drink, and understand living a lifestyle and have reached my weightloss goal (I still have 10 pds to go)

I do not deprive myself.......and believe everything in moderation

How I did it.......

When I knew I would be drinking (which sometimes would be 3-4 times a week, depending on work and events)........ I would eat ONLY Protein and Vegetables

For alcohol, I usually stick to wine or spritzers (half wine, half diet 7up), occasionally I will have a molson 67, but try to stay way from beer

I just always made sure I ate healthy and then drank what I wanted too! Not saying this is for everyone, but it is what I have had most success with.

If you ever need to talk, let me know! I have lost almost 90 pounds and still enjoy life

Caroline

So wish I could do this anony..... Ok, well as far as lapband and liquor for me goes.... Before I was banded I drank ALOT! like a 5th or more of Jagermeister per day in the form of jager bombs. So that was atleast a 5th of Jager and 5-12oz Redbulls per 5th... Im down to doing that about 3-4 times a week now instead of 7. I was banded on 8-12-11 and have lost 58 pounds. I am ahead of schedule and in the last 5 weeks lost 20 pounds so my surgeon would not give me a fill.. I drink a lot but I also WALK WALK WALK, do crunches, sit ups. Things like that. I stay active. I can only imagine what I would have lost by now had I not been drinking so much .