Im not a huge drinker by any means. I have a drink about 3 times a month but what about those nights i still want to have a good time? Is getting drunk even a possibility with the band? Im 420 friendly. From what i understand things like drinking out of straws for example cause excess gas as well as smoking cigarettes. Id appreciate if readers completely ignored 'munchies' for this entire post. Aside from that and the obvious toxins caused by smoke...are there any thoughts on post op lap band and smoking weed? Has anyone actually asked their doctor/surgeon if there are any other risks? I still want to be able to live my life with moderation if it is necessary.

I just figure that if I am putting so much into this new healthy lifestyle of mine, why would I want to med it up with unhealthy behaviors. Yes, I know weed is natural, but I don't want anything in my body that might upset this wonderful balance I'm creating. Good luck with it.

On topic of marijuana use while banded...

Recognize that marijuana has 50-70% more carcinogenic substances than the standard cigarette. Thus is an even bigger irritant to the esophagus. In my humble opinion, the esophgaus and it's health is the life source of being a banded patient and should be protected with every measure.

GERD is a common side effect of being banded and marij. use will only induce or increase this risk because it relaxes the esophogeal sphincter that separates it from the stomach. I would assume this would be compounded in the early stages of being banded when you have little food intake.

Than there's the discussion on black phlegm (mucous production), coughing etc and how 1) constant hacking may put you at risk for slippage and 2) frequent mucous ingestion may lead to dilatation (that goes along w/ getting stuck and having compounding volume/pressure on the band)

Than there's the whold discussion of vasoconstrictors and dialators. You do realize the esophagus is also innervated with blood vessels. And that both cigarettes and marijuana alike have an effect on said vessels. Which could lead to slips or erosion. We are not even supposed to take NSAIDs because it dilates the esophogus and can cause erosion.

Despite your rationale for using marij (recreational vs medical) I wouldnt find it a safe drug to use, like cigarettes, using the above rationale.

I was wondering the same thing! Like you I'm not a heavy drinker, but I still want to be able to get drunk on occasion - I was worried about the amount I would actually be able to drink! I really don't think a bit of pot is going to cause any damage either keeping your gear clean will help with coughing and you could always look into a vaporiser if you want a gentler experience. I'm recently banded and remember having a joint the day I got home from hospital. It took away all the discomfort. Haven't had an issue with munchies either...

I smoke it. In fact I killed a roach a few minutes ago. Do you HAVE to be DRUNK (or high) to have a good time? I can enjoy myself perfectly without zero alcohol, so I could never understand people who must drink to have fun... And, I know you said "ignore" it, but as far as "munchies" I allow myself a bite-size chocolate and I won't over do it. I do, however, eat it extra slowwwwwwly, so as to delight in it.

I smoke it. In fact I killed a roach a few minutes ago. Do you HAVE to be DRUNK (or high) to have a good time? I can enjoy myself perfectly without zero alcohol' date=' so I could never understand people who must drink to have fun... And, I know you said "ignore" it, but as far as "munchies" I allow myself a bite-size chocolate and I won't over do it. I do, however, eat it extra slowwwwwwly, so as to delight in it.[/quote']

I don't have to be drunk to have fun - but in the right situation, it's fun to be drunk, so I didn't want to cut it out completely. I smoke more to relax than I do socially, so again, I don't NEED it to have fun. I hope I didn't give that impression...

No, of course not! Just trying to gage the situation. I don't do it socially neither. I do it at home, when its time to settle down, or when I want to let loose a little extra in the sack

Haha it does tend to enhance night time activities... =P

I must put this out there. I was banded in 08, went from 272 to 185 and loved it. Then life hit me smack pat in the kisser. My husband lost his job & we moved to a very 420 friendly state - literally. South FL to Vermont and I was clinically depressed so I utilized the good ole' for depression - without a "wake & bake" I wouldn't do anything. Once I par took I was up doing my thing get a groove on. However, I ruined my band. Just found out its slipped and being taken out. Now can I say it was from the EXCESSIVE DAILY "medical mary" - no, but I coughed like a fiend! I got stuck because yes the munchies do happen, but Ben & Jerry's was my main friend. Now I didn't gain my weight until recently, but I'm not certain it wasn't to my failed attempts at living normal in a bad place. Now my sad news - band is coming out, hopefully insurance is going to pay for revision to the sleeve, not sure yet and I've gained - 242lbs is my current weight. All I'm saying here is pay attention to your choices and make good ones. A drink, red wine, no vodka tonics, or rum & cokes - leave the carbonation out, and a little puff-puff here and there is one thing, but make good life choices - SPOKEN FROM SOMEONE WHO'S been there, done it. I'm more sad now buying "Fat clothes" again. All said with love

You're saying that MAYBE the coughing from smoking caused the slip? WoW!! Good thing I live in a not-so-420-friendly state (NY). Although, I only do it occasionally, probably 5-6 times a year, and just about half a joint. ThatIsAll

Also, the munchies don't really get me cuz it's always late... We fool around a bit and SLEEP like bears till the morning. LoL

And about the gain.... Don't make me come there and whip you into shape!!! I hope you get your revision.

My personal fear with drinking and drunkenness is getting too drunk or too hungover to the point I'm heavving my guts out and causing my band to slip! One beer or one glass of wine and I'm done.

So I bought my first bottle of wine since having the operation last night, planned on a quiet glass by myself after dinner... Turns out it takes WAY less plonk for me to feel tiddly-pop! I was very happy and red faced after half a glass... I think the thing with being banded is common sense. I'm not going to drink the whole bottle of wine and vomit my guts up... I mean, I wouldn't have done that before but there's even more reason not to now. If you think you're the kind of person who can't stop drinking before you pass out on the side of the road then maybe consider giving up for good, but that goes for everyone, not just banded folk.

I like wine! Anyone have problems with having wine??

I'm young and live in the city. I go out to happy hours regulary, and have a glass of wine almost every night. Don't judge me... lol. Just be sure to log the calories and adjust your food for the day accordingly. At first you may feel the effects of alcohol faster, but that didn't last too long for me.

I think the original poster's statement: "I still want to be able to live my life with moderation..." is a the perfect attitude. I do and eat pretty much everything I did pre-band, just in moderation. I love my band, but I don't really think about it most days.

So, just an honest opinion here from experience- I used to smoke constantly, and smoked even a few days after surgery. I had found that I didn't like how hungry it made me feel and I felt a little out of control- of course, that is all personal experience. I used to have the munchies before being banded, but how it made me feel after being banded was different. I started smoking regularly again after losing about 70lbs from May-November and I saw a serious slowing of progress.

This summer I cut it out again, besides occasional (maybe once a month?) indulgence because I found when swimming and running I could feel it in my lungs (I also quit smoking cigarettes) and I was training for a triathlon and saw no sense in waking up at 5am every day and working out all the time and measuring food if I was going to keep smoking. I don't drink because I won't do the carbonation, the fruit juice mixers, and I have no desire in being the drunk girl after too many shots or whiskeys- though I have had a drink here and there. Its not the end of the world, but everyone here is right that your priorities may change once you've gone through getting banded and making healthier life choices. Now I spend my weekends hiking and biking instead of Netflix and weed, though, it happens rarely- and do yourself a favor and use a vaporizer if you're going to smoke (banded or not). Your lungs will thank you, and so will your wallet (no carcinogens from the smoke, only pure THC vapors = weed will last you longer and so will your lungs)

Haven't noticed much difference with either.. I've only drank lightly twice since the op but one of the times I had like 5 beers and even shotguned one and noticed no difference.. I waited 6 days to smoke after surgery and have smoked every day since and also haven't noticed any differences from my pre op days

I think as long as you ease back in to whatever you are doing you shouldn't have a problem