<p>I am seriously considering getting banded. I have already done all the testing, except the psychological testing, which I go to next week. I am starting to get a bit anxious. I have also been thinking a lot about my social life. I am no alcoholic, but I like to go out 1-2 times a month and drink beer with my friends and family. I usually drink about 6 beers. Is this something the band will not tolerate?</p>

<p>I am seriously considering getting banded. I have already done all the testing, except the psychological testing, which I go to next week. I am starting to get a bit anxious. I have also been thinking a lot about my social life. I am no alcoholic, but I like to go out 1-2 times a month and drink beer with my friends and family. I usually drink about 6 beers. Is this something the band will not tolerate?</p>

Wish I had good news for you, but anything with carbonation is pretty much off limits. Some people do drink a beer or soda here and there, but they are not really supposed to. And six beers is not going to work anyway because your stomach pouch will not be able to hold that much. Especially at first, you'll need to sip liquids little by little.

Another thing is, beer is really high in carbs and calories, etc. It's probably not the type of thing that fits well into the bandster lifestyle in general.

It might be good to talk to your doctor/nutritionist about this, and see what others here say about it. But once you get banded it will involve some changes in lifestyle, there's no way around it. And the beer drinking is probably one of the first changes that the doctor will recommend.

Thanks for the fast reply. I found some other info that stated pretty much the same thing. I may need to find some other non-carbonated alcoholic beverage for my nights out. It will be very difficult. I love a cold beer after a long week at work. Where I live, everyone drinks beer! I will talk to my doctor about my concerns.

-Lori

Waiting for my insurance approval......

switch to wine, a couple of glasses of wine wont hurt

I like to drink a few beers every now and then too. I tried to drink wine and I just don't like the taste. Once I get banded I will not drink beer anymore. What about something like vodka and cranberry juice?

Beer can not go do like it use too..excellent thing for me

Thanks for the fast reply. I found some other info that stated pretty much the same thing. I may need to find some other non-carbonated alcoholic beverage for my nights out. It will be very difficult. I love a cold beer after a long week at work. Where I live, everyone drinks beer! I will talk to my doctor about my concerns.

-Lori

Waiting for my insurance approval......

One thing to keep in mind is this: After banding, people often find that they actually *want* different things. People don't just sit around feeling deprived for all the things they can't have. They just start to want different things. I know it is hard to imagine that your taste for beer would actually change, but there is a good chance that could happen. That type of thing happens to a lot of people with the band.

Hello There...

I just happened to see the title on that post saying I like Beer and it got my attention!!! LOL

I would suggest that although vodka & cranberry is not carbonated the juice is LOADED with sugar.

Depending on where in the world you are maybe you could try guinness? Draught guinness doesn't really travel well so it won't be as nice as you would taste in Ireland. But it does come in longneck & can form if you'd like to try that?

AND their slogan is that it's GOOD for you!!! (in small doses!) I dunno about the calorie content but in WW points a glass (250ml) is worth 2 points.

Pimms is also a low cal drink, and I think it's flat.

Hope that's of some help

I will be drinking guinness anyway!

I went out last night for a little bit. I decided to try a mixed drink with no carbonation. I chose Malibu rum, pineapple juice and grenadine. It was good, but so sweet! I just sipped at it like I will have to when I'm banded. It go old fast. I hope you are right, Mark. Hopefully I will find what works for me!

<p>I went through the life without beer thoughts before my surgery in January. It was a tough decision for me as I was a homebrewer. Since being banded, I haven't had any beer. </p> <p> </p> <p>I even went to a meeting a couple weeks ago with my brewing buddies and drank Water. When I told them I had a LapBand, they supported that (a few were asking "why?" I'm sure). One of the guys suggested a Guinness and even set one in front of me but I said I'd like to try it at home first in case I had problems with it. Guinness is actually a relatively low carb/low alcohol beer. </p> <p> </p> <p>I have had a couple Jack Daniels on the rocks on a couple occasions and had no trouble.</p> <p> </p> <p>That said, I think drinking and the junk food that goes with it (i.e. chicken gizzards, pizza,burgers, fries, chilidogs, chips) is a good part of the reason I ballooned to almost 300 lbs. I'm committed to be very careful not to go down that road again.</p> <p> </p> <p>Good luck with your decision! BTW, I'd very happy to be 59 lbs lighter and beer free!</p> <p> </p> <p>Bruce</p>

Wow Brewa...that's a big hurdle you overcame being a brewer!!

I think Guinness is great..

I agree with the alcohol / junk food association. That's why my limit will be 4 drinks. If I drink enough to be hungover the next day I crave the bad stuff!! I never eat while drinking thought, my appetite hits me post-session!

Good luck to you & congrats on the weight loss & lifestyle changes..well done

I usually drink wine, or some kind of mixed drink, but I can't drink a lot of any of it anymore. My band definately keeps me in line!

Thanks for the fast reply. I found some other info that stated pretty much the same thing. I may need to find some other non-carbonated alcoholic beverage for my nights out. It will be very difficult. I love a cold beer after a long week at work. Where I live, everyone drinks beer! I will talk to my doctor about my concerns.

-Lori

Waiting for my insurance approval......

Ohhh! I am SUCH a Beer drinker! I don't drink often, but I LOVE a cold Bud Light. that may seem silly, since I know there are 'better' beers out there, but thats what I like.

I've been thinking the same thing lately, worrying about beer after band. ha. Its just one of the things I'll give up, much like binging on ice cream, or pizza, or whatever.

Dang. No Bud Light, no Diet Coke...it's a good thing I like water!

It would probably make you feel really uncomfortable and the no carbonation rule will hang over your head and the guilt will set in ....

And was it worth it???????

Probably not....

OK, I'll show my ignorance - what's the difference between beer and Guiness whereby Guiness is OK? I love Guiness, heard it's good for you, but is it just Guiness, all ales, are stouts included? Explanation please!

I wonder about the Guiness thing, too. I guess I thought it really didn't matter what kind of beer it was because it is all too bubbly for your band. Carbonated beverages, etc are not good for the band and will make you sick. Right?

Can anyone clear this up for me/us?