I'm just curious about everyone's drinking habits with the band, and if it affects anything? Xx

Not a drinker...sorry can't help you here!

I don't drink alcohol, empty calories.

About 6 months post op, I had my first glass of wine....did not notice any difference. You'll read on here where many folks are more sensitive to the alcohol. Now, 4+ years post op, I'll have some a few times a week. Maybe thats one reason I been awarded the slowest loser's badge......

Because we're not supposed to drink carbonated beverages, I've stopped having mixed drinks...you know, like gin & tonic. But when I go out to dinner, I often have one glass of wine. It's not too bad calorie wise, and certainly much better than drinks with juices in them or cocktails with alot of additional calories because of the mixers used. I do not find that one drink affects me any differently than before the band.

Ohok I think alchole is going to be one of the hardest things for me, since I'm a bing drinker, I will drink once a month but I'm talking a bottle of spirits.. I think I will have to say bye bye to that after I get the band lol

because i was having a gastric bypass at first i learned a lot about it. i think alcohol is more of a concern for them. we still have our stomachs to process and digest the alcohol. but its the calories that we are concerned with. it's the same for fruit juice. just to many calories. and no benefit. but i am going to have my bailey's and coffee christmas morning. one mug full. lol its a tradition and i don't want to upset the cart.

Alcohol does not bother me one way or the other, and my habits have not changed all that much....(I'm not a calorie counter)

I do have to take my Bloody Mary's less spicy, as is the new habit now with all things because of reflux....

I also drink carbonated drinks now and then,,,and I will have a Beer, or 2, or 3, at times but NEVER within hours of eating any food....

My Dr. has a strict "No Carbonation Rule" also...then one day I told him I was going to a Yankee game and said "Don't drink too much beer!" and "Remember the warning signs when you do"

That stopped me in my tracks, asked him to explain...he thought we already had "That talk"...so after some questions, etc, he gave me his permission...ONLY because I was banded for over 2 years, and ONLY because I was done with my weight loss and and understood many things I would not understand earlier on when I was still learning more important lessons on how to live successfully with the band........

So I DO NOT advocate drinking Carbonated drinks to anyone....I DO advocate you follow your Dr.'s treatment plan to t "T".

Like my Mother used to say...just because one person jumps off the bridge does not make it right or wrong.....and no one here should ever do things because other people say they do...or worse yet, tell others it is OK or Not OK....

Got a BIG Christmas party tonight...dos not start till 8:30pm at a Swank Country Club.....and I don't eat after 7 as a general rule that works for me........I doubt I will be eating anything, soooo........

Edited December 13, 201312 yr by B-52

I waited quite awhile before having a drink. I noticed after I did have a drink, (note a drink), that I am now a cheap date! 1 drink makes me feel light headed now! If, after your surgeon okays a drink) you go out make sure to have a designated driver, because you will not know how a drink will affect you! Karen...aka..kll724

i have my beer on ice. it help to break down the carbonation. I can have several beers over the night if i just slow down. I also have no problems with wine. I am not a liquor drinker so coud not help you there. My kep to drinking carbonated drinks is to drink slow! Good luck!

Thankyou you everyone, you's have been a big help! At least I know I will be able to have at least a couple of drinks!! (after the doc okays it) haha

My surgeon does not have alcohol as a no-no but suggested hard liquor vs. wine due to the calories. I think transference can be a problem for some -- food addicts turning to alcohol instead as a tool for numbing. I am five weeks out and enjoyed wine at a party last weekend and will again tomorrow night. Each time I have what I consider a splash out my weight actually drops. And I agree about the cheap date -- we are definitely saving money. One little appetizer, please! I have noticed that at restaurants it's easier to order a water and just not drink it than to say nothing to drink. Waiters can't seem to process that.

My surgeon suggested I shouldn't drink alcohol because it both gives empty calories and might cause gastric reflux.

I've been banded for two years and a half and I avoid drinking alcohol.

They told me I mustn't drink at all during my meals , so I've given up drinking wine.

my dr had said no to soft drinks but that if i must i should drink diet.. as a general rule i just don't drink soda.. but i love love sparkling Water.... as for alcohol - i make my self work for those calories.. i have had one drink on occasion and i plan ahead if i know i'm going to be in a situation that i would like a drink i walk an extra 15/20 mins on the treadmill and make sure some one will drive me home if needed. If i find i'm suddenly in a situation to have a drink i pass. as an earlier poster said you just don't know how they will affect you and getting home safely and sober is a priority also.

Alocohol affects me the same as before the band. The only difference now is I drink wine or hard liquor as opposed to my normal beer. And if I drink hard liquor I drink it straight over ice...I don't need the extra calories from non-carbonated mixers.

I would imagine that you will do exactly what you want to do. I know for me that following the rules helped me lose my weight.