Believe it or not all of these have one thing in common! I was banded 7/11 so 23 days ago.. since day 5 post surgery I have been able to burp (thank goodness because when my stomach is empty, I burp, a lot..) I am really not a big fan of hard alcohol or wine. I enjoy a beer or two every once in a blue moon, have read several previous threads with mixed responses and a lot of them warn against beer due to carbonation, but if I am able to burp without any problem does that make it different? Oh only have 5 oz in my band if that makes any difference... dr said ok but expect swelling but surgeons heavily warn against any alcohol due to erosion potential

Burping has nothing to do with it. Carbonated drinks pass through the band immediately but expand in the stomach below it. This causes a risk for slips because the expanding stomach presses upward against the band.

Some doctors allow carbonation so I'd check with yours.

Personally, I don't think it's worth the risk. The woman who shared a room with me after getting my band was in there for a band replacement. She said her stomach actually prolapsed up through the band because of drinking carbonation. She said she also gained back 40 pounds because of it. I just don't think a pop or a beer is worth the risk of going through that.

i agree with miss, not worth the risk...hadnt had carbonation (soda/beer) since i started pre op may 2012...some dr's say yes and mine also says no and it may not cause no problems for some people but that doesnt mean that will be the result for you

I had a big sip of a carbonated drink once (thought it was flat lemonade) and was in AGONY about an hour afterwards!!!!! All the bubbles get trapped under the band and cause gas cramps. Will never do that again!!!!

My doc says "yes" to carbonated beverages, but not with a straw or directly from can/bottle. As long as I pour the soda over ice and let it set the "bubbles" settle out.