I know after the surgery beer will be a thing of the past but being a home brewer and beer snob I like to sample what I brew. How does alcohol effect you with the band? If I sip on a home brew am I gonna get bombed ? Lol. I have no prob giving up beer. I do a six pack a week. If that So giving is not a prob. I don't wanna give up brewing though. People love my beer. So is ok to sip with my squirrel stomach when I get it?

I was told by my doc absolutely no carbonation. I can have alcohol, just nothing with bubbles in it. :-) Of course, I'm not sure how much a sip would hurt, depending on how many sips and how often you're talking. One of the more experienced bandsters should have some feedback. I can't do the carbonation because it could stretch the pouch, cause bloat and even cause slippage so I stay away from it.

I tried beer at a wedding 3 months post op (it was good beer, crappy wine, bottled water) and just a sip was uncomfortable. You won't get any tipsier than pre band, other than not drinking for a month or two, you will have a bit less tolerance. I ended up drinking about 10 bottles of water at the wedding. I can drink about 3-4 oz of beer now, without discomfort, just have to go slow. I do that maybe once a summer. Your surgery shouldn't affect your brewing...

My surgeon has absolutely no issues with me drinking carbonation, so I do drink soda from time to time. I can tell ya that you will certainly feel gassier and burpier drinking carbonation after the band!

My surgeon has absolutely no issues with me drinking carbonation, so I do drink soda from time to time. I can tell ya that you will certainly feel gassier and burpier drinking carbonation after the band!

My surgeon never told me anything about carbonation either! I was a diet coke addict and he said that was fine! However, I found out on my own that it makes me feel bloated and horrible! Funny how I have no craving for it anymore! You'll have to see how you tolerate it! Sips here and there are probably not going to be a real issue! Good luck!

I was also told no carbonation after banding.

I have tried to drink a diet Pepsi twice since my band and lemme tell you, it hurt like hell after a few sips. There is no golden rule about carbonation. Some people like me can't do it, but some folks can. Some people can do a sip, some can drink a beer. A lot depends on restriction.

As above, everyone is different. My surgeon did not cut out carbonation, but I was never a soda drinker and only drink beer occasionally. I didn't drink any beer for about 3 months after surgery, just because I didn't want the calories, but I have had one or two in the past couple of months with no problem.

Thanks everyone. I'm going to cut the soda out but I'll take a few sips of beer and see what happens. I'm sure I'll have more questions. Many more lol

oh how I miss Coors light...

I'm going to miss Sam Adams

If you can let the beer go flat before you drink /sip it that would be best. Over a period of time carbonation can cause havoc to your band. My dr strictly forbids it.

Yeah my doc said no carbonation. Which is not a prob. Just sip enough to test any home brew I make. I do not want to mess anything up with the band

oh how I miss Coors light...

CG, he was talking about missing beer, not that stuff.

I drink beer, had 2 at yesterdays superbowl party........my Dr. knows....but he DOES NOT Ok it with all his patients...especially those that are just starting out and still have a ways to go to "Get to know their band"

We talked about it, and if I was asked, knowing what I know, I would not recommend it to just anyone....I would worry about the surgery first, getting in that "Groove", (Green Zone) and loosing the weight before anything else...and to get there takes some sacrifices....

CG, he was talking about missing beer, not that stuff.

well that hurt.....boo hooo