I was banded 2 1/2 weeks ago, and sure wouldn't mind having a cocktail or two. Can this hurt the band? What are some of your experiences with being banded and drinking? I would be sticking to the liquid diet!

I have not tried beer I heard that was a no no with the carbonation. I have tried wine (zinfadel) and did not have a problem. Also a "mudslide" well actually two of those lol. Didn't have a problem with wine. Did have extreme heartburn with the mudslide the next day. I think I had that before band though. It had been about 10 years since I had one last, so don't remember for sure. As long as you drink in moderation and don't substitute alcohol for meals?? but, I am not an expert. I would talk to a professional who won't tell you not to drink for morality reasons, but for medical reasons. There may be a study about it or something

Zadyzu,

There is absolutely no problem with having a drink occasionally once you are banded for a while. The reason I say a while is that we all need time to develop good habits and work on our compliance issues. Afterall, we are in the business of losing weight with the band and this should be our personal mission. I have had 5 glasses of wine since I have been banded; 3 in one night at a party and two at dinner with my husband for my anniversary, but I did not drink alcohol the first 6 months, since I did not think empty calories would help me reach my goal.

This is for Shana who posted earlier: You were banded almost 4 months ago and according to your stats have lost 8 pounds. So my statement to you would be: Just because you can, doesn't mean you should!!! I remember what it is like to be 23 years old and want to party a little. I like yourself, weighed 247 pounds at age 23 and partied my way through Europe and by the time I was thirty, I was over 300 pounds. Now maybe you are happy losing 2 pounds a month as an average weight loss. But I don't think anyone has this surgery to lose 2 pounds a month. And most people if they are doing the headwork are losing more than that especially in the first three months of banding. (Unless they have a problem with their band or restriction!) I know many people out there who would love to have a band and don't have insurance to pay or cant afford to self pay. So honestly, I don't know what this really means to you and I sincerely hope you can keep your eye on the prize. We are in the business to lose weight and the only way to do this is to reduce caloric intake and exercise instead of being couch potatoes!! LOL

Babs in TX

334/233/180

-101 pounds and counting

6/23/03

Hey Babs, you know what? Normally I love this board and I think its members are truly supportive and good-hearted. But this was a little harsh. My immediate reaction was wanting to yell something not very nice in your direction. It's not like I'm sitting around drinking nonstop all weekend; yes, being healthy is important to me, but the reason it's important to me is so that I can live my life the way I want. And I don't want to (or need to, in my opinion) completely give up alcohol in order to be healthy. I resent the fact that you are throwing alcohol consumption in my face as proof that the band doesn't mean enough to me. Where do you get off? Do you really think telling me how successful others are being and suggesting I "keep my eye on the prize" because I don't want this enough, or whatever other judgmental comment you're not so subtly making, is an effective way to help me reach my goals? Just because I have a drink or two on the weekends does not mean that I'm a couch potato sitting on my ass eating bon-bons. And let me help you out since your reading and math skills seem to be limited: I was banded January 5th, which means I've been banded less than 3 months. My doctor does not even allow a fill until 2 months post op. And yes, I am having problems with my restriction; namely, I don't have any. Think twice before you publicly call someone's motivations into question next time.

Shana,

If you noticed on my post, I put LOL after the couch potato part, so you would realize that it was tongue in cheek. I was quoting out of your original post where you said there was nothing better than a whiskey or martini while sitting on the couch watching a movie with your boyfriend.

While you were sipping on your martini and watching a movie, I was at the gym working out for an hour. I can guarantee that there isn't a lapband surgeon out there that would endorse drinking hard liquor 3 weeks after banding, which you claim is when you started your weekend "one or two drinks".

As for restriction, we all start out the same way (or at least 90% of us) Most docs don't give fills until at least 6 weeks post op. I would safely say that most of us had trouble with restriction, so if thats the position you would like to take on the issue of lack of weight loss and the need to continue drinking on the weekends so soon after your surgery, so be it.

As far as permanent lifestyle changes, I did not get a band so I could be on a permanent diet either. But the band requires a lot of work and some sacrifice. It is a gift and a chance to a better and healthier life. The people who are successful at this know they have to make permanent lifestyle changes to be successful at this and it sounds like you don't want to hear any constructive criticism. I also don't think you are in a position to tell another newbie that drinking is OK when most of us are still eating mushies and even some are on a liquid diet for up to 6 weeks after surgery. And don't you dare question my sincere wish to help anyone here and my motivations. I have never said a harsh word to anyone here and only offer kind words and occasionally (tough love and hugs) to anyone who needs them.

Babs in TX

334/233/180

-101 lbs and counting

6/23/03

Babs

Whoa! Did I ask a loaded ,no pun intended question, or what?

I think everyone has made good points, and thanks to all who replied. I tried a drink myself, vodka and - diet- cranberry, it didn't burn or anything, but first off I thought, "boy wouldn't some cheese and crackers be good with this?" And I sure don't want to fall in to that munchie trap. The drink didn't taste all that good to me, plus I felt guilty for taking in the extra, empty, calories. I'm 3 1/2 weeks out and have lost 18 lbs - Yippee!! The focus of my journey here is to lose weight, and I don't want to jeopardize that, though I think a drink or two now and then probably can't hurt, but why chance it? I have enjoyed drinking in the past, and I might again in the future. I think for now I would get a bigger buzz by losing another 5 lbs. than having a night of drinking.

Cheers everybody!

And don't you dare question my sincere wish to help anyone here and my motivations. I have never said a harsh word to anyone here and only offer kind words and occasionally (tough love and hugs) to anyone who needs them.

i will second that. Babs always has good advice and she was just responding to a post on a public forum. she has also lost 100+ lbs so i will listen to whatever she says like an eager student.

shana marie~ my thinking is if someone gives me advice i take what i can use and leave the rest. if you didnt get anything out of babs post PLEASE dont get offended by it, it was her honest opinion.

Ok, maybe I'll get a lot of crap for this, but... I'm 23 years old. I'm still in school. The weekends are always when I kick back with friends and that often involves drinking.

you knew you might get 'crap' for admitting to drinking the empty calories so it shouldnt have been a surprise.

I have enjoyed drinking in the past, and I might again in the future. I think for now I would get a bigger buzz by losing another 5 lbs. than having a night of drinking.

I'LL DRINK TO THAT!!!! when the time comes!!! LOL!!!

Babs I don't think you meant to sound harsh, I could see why Shanna took it that way though. Everybody is different in their weight loss and we all have different motivations to lose weight. Some of us are sensitive when someone tells us where or how much we should be on our weight loss. I don't think you meant to hurt her feelings.