How soon did any of you bandsters start drinking alcoholic beverages after your lapband? And what would you all drink? Your comments are greatly appreciated.!

I drink about every other weekend. I prob waited at least 4 weeks. Since we are encouraged to stay away from carbonation, I don't drink beer. I drink wine or I drink vodka. Vodka is the lowest in calories. I try to be careful because with liquor it is really easy to take in a lot of empty calories. And I make sure I don't drink and throw up! Lol. My fave drink these days is vodka and Water over ice with a Lime. It's nice and refreshing. No soda, no juice, and it has water! I love my wine too. But in a social situation, I can down a whole bottle and that's like 650 calories. If you're worried, you should ask your surgeon. They may say not to drink at all, but....

So do u tend to get buzzed more quickly now that you are banded?

Not that I can tell. But some people say they do.

I waited 90 days to drink any alcohol, but that was my decision. My doc said alcohol would be okay after one month.

I typically drink wine. But occassionally I'll drink vodka straight or mixed with Crystal Light.

And I don't get buzzed any quicker than I did pre-banding.

Edited February 26, 201412 yr by CaGottaBand

I have a glass of wine but it hits me a lot quicker these days

I never asked the surgeon and probably should, but I think I started drinking again about 2 weeks after surgery.

Predominantly - it's wine. Usually red wine for health benefits. I have started buying the small little bottles to really help with the option control.

Sometimes I'll do a vodka and Water. Sometimes, with a soda stream I'll very lightly carbonate water to mix if I really want some depth to my drinks.

Always have to keep in mind that it is empty calories.

I do get a buzz much quicker but it doesn't last as long. Before wls I would easily consume about 1500-2000+ calories a day and then have a drink vs now being at about 32 lbs lighter and 800-1000 calories for the day. I think that's why it hits me faster and harder.

I drink about every other weekend. I prob waited at least 4 weeks. Since we are encouraged to stay away from carbonation, I don't drink beer. I drink wine or I drink vodka. Vodka is the lowest in calories. I try to be careful because with liquor it is really easy to take in a lot of empty calories. And I make sure I don't drink and throw up! Lol. My fave drink these days is vodka and Water over ice with a Lime. It's nice and refreshing. No soda, no juice, and it has water! I love my wine too. But in a social situation, I can down a whole bottle and that's like 650 calories. If you're worried, you should ask your surgeon. They may say not to drink at all, but....

How about a mojito? Or margarita? Do those go down alright with the band?

I'm beginning to think I'll have to give up beer and soda with the band, which is alright, all things considered. I'll miss it (a little), but nothing I couldn't live without, especially for better health.

It's just not worth the calories to me. I would rather eat something for 200 calories then drink it.

this is such a individualized food or drink choice. most doctors would say no. empty calories they don't want us to drink our calories they want us to eat them. I think the problem with alcohol isn't so much with lapbanders since we have our stomach still. the other wls the alcohol dumps into the small intestine in which it is absorbed straight away. but its easy for me to say not drink, because I don't drink. but I know that having a drink is important to some of you so first just ask your doctor, and than play it real smart. so now go have fun.

When I had my 1st drink, it was at least 8 months following my surgery. I did get buzzed after 1 drink, so much so that I had to have a friend drive me home. I don't drink often, so I can't even tell you what I drink! I stick to wine, or a margarita tho' if I do! Karen

I started back around the same time I started back ion solid foods.....like to have a glass of wine everyday....stronger drinks whenever we go out to dinner or parties....

I did wait about 2 years before I started back up with drinking beer...took me that long to fully understand how to listen to my band, and understand the little warning signals with anything carbonated...also did discuss it with my Dr who originally said no carbonation, but now I'm into it long enough to know how to do it safely....

Calories have never been an issue with me since being banded....alcohol can be bad for those who are following certain diet plans because the high calories.....

Edited February 26, 201412 yr by B-52

My doctor told me to wait a year before I drink any kind of alcohol again, I am keeping that promise until my aniversary november 6 , 2014, that was the only thing that he insist in every conversation he mention no alcohol for a year,

How about a mojito? Or margarita? Do those go down alright with the band? I'm beginning to think I'll have to give up beer and soda with the band, which is alright, all things considered. I'll miss it (a little), but nothing I couldn't live without, especially for better health.

For some reason, I'm thinking/assuming you're a female. My phone won't let me check your profile. With that being said, and again it's empty calories, but I'll take a sip or two from my fiancé's beer when we're out. He usually gets it on draft and my nut told us that usually has lower carbonation. Also, I'll wait till he's drank a bit of it to try to let some more of the bubbles go away. I tried to order a cider one time and that was purely painful. My nut also recommended with sodas to open them and let them sit for a while till they are much flatter to just flat period. I think I've had a mojito and that was fine. Don't care for margaritas but I'm assuming that should be fine too. Keep in mind, mojito has a lot of sugar. You're putting in empty calories. It should not be a substitute for food calories and this will cause you to go over your daily calories. When I reduce my alcohol my weight drops faster, when I drink the weight reduction is slower.

Edited February 26, 201412 yr by kimk1999

. When I reduce my alcohol my weight drops faster, when I drink the weight reduction is slower.

Just wanted to chime in and say I agree with this statement 100%. I went wine tasting about a month ago, I maybe had 3 glasses of wine over 6 hours. The next day I was up 5 pounds and it took me 3 weeks to get rid of it. That wasn't fun.