Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Alcohol and the Band



Recommended Posts

I am working toward the band, with my surgical consultation this Thursday. Wondering how alcohol plays into life with the lap-band. Not that it is a major part of my life, but I do enjoy going out with friends and having a drink. Are certain drinks better than others?

(If something is already posted out there about this, I apologize... I did not see it).

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I personally have not had any problems with my band in regards to having an occassional drink (once a week or a couple times a month). I may be an exception. The main problem I have noticed is my tolerance is not the same. One drink usually gets me tipsy vs 3 or more before. I don't know if it does anything to the band (I can only speak from my almost 4 yr experience (Aug 2003) but, most alcohol drinks have a lot of sugar or empty calories....so, not exactly what you need when losing weight

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

The problem with drinkig with alcohol isn't so much what it will do to the band, because it won't do really anything. The kicker is consuming all the empty calories. We can eat so little, so its important to make good choices when we do consume calories.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Yep, I had an evening out with the family at a nice restaurant where we had wine (several glasses) and when I logged everything in I found that nearly 50% of my caloric content for the day was alcohol!!! Needless to day, the scale's downward trend came to a screeching halt and actually went back up two pounds in the next several days.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I have noticed that when I drink 'heavily' -- which for me is 3-4 drinks in a night -- that I am much more prone to sliming/PB'ing the next day or two. I don't do that anymore!! Two is my limit!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

TerriDoodle, I never thought about that. I had a few drinks last weekend and had problems eating the rest of the week. I ended up having a few more this past weekend and yep sure enough I am having the same problem this week. I am going to experiment and leave the drinks alone for awhile see if that makes it easier for me to eat. Thankyou.....

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I have never had the pbing issue with alcohol....I wonder if it is because alcohol dehydrates you? The more fluids I personally have especially milk helps me digest food beter with the band.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Coming from a girl who has two cats named Martini and Cosmopolitan....

I was concerned about this as well. Cocktails has always played a big part in my social life.

However, a funny thing happened after the band. After all the pain from surgery, after seeing the weight come off, seeing the body change to a smaller size, seeing my blood sugars come down along with my blood pressure - I didn't have much of a desire for the empty 'bad' calories or sugar.

That's not without saying I haven't had a few cocktails!! I actually even 'tied one on' about a month ago; don't even remember getting out of the pool!!! And that was on just 1 large glass of sangria. My tolerance is different. The last thing you want to do is upset your stomach; for fear of slipping the band.

You'll still be able to enjoy a cocktail without a doubt. Just no bubbles!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Personally I am an alcoholic!!!!!!!!!!!! Just kidding, but i do still drink plenty on weekends i mean i am only 22

That's what I said at 22. Then at 30...

Before I knew it; the weight went on and on...the belly got bigger too.

Fat knows no age limit. :)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Just remember no carbonation,so that means no beer and no wine coolers and champagne.I have not had any more trouble with cranberry vodka.I dont get any more tipsy or buzz .It the same for me.:)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I was told by the nutritionist that if I drink, don't drive. Not even if it is just ONE drink. Something to keep in mind.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • LeighaTR

      Four days post surgery. I am sipping as fast as I can and getting NO WHERE near the goal of 60 - 80 grams of protein or the 64 oz of liquids. I just feel FULL. I don't know if it can still be the gas build up (I would think by now that would be gone) but it is a struggle to drink. And so far I have not had the nausea or spasms and don't want to wander into that territory by pushing too hard with liquids. I about passed out today as it was my most "strenuous" day. Went from second story to basement for shower and I was sure I was going to pass out. Looking back on my last few days I have had a total of less than 1000 calories. Am I just not getting enough nourishment in me? Once again a friday where I can't get ahold of the doc until Monday rolls back around so I am hoping maybe someone here has some experience on how to keep energy going. I do have fibromyalgia too and that may be where some added fatigue comes into play. How did you all fair with the goals the week after surgery?
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      2 days until I fly out to San Diego to have my Bypass Surg. in Tiajuana Mexico. Not gonna lie, the nerves are starting to surface. I don't fear the surgery itself, or the fact that I'm traveling alone, but its the aftermath that I'm stressing about the most, after this 8 week wait. I'm excited to finally be here, but I am really dreading the post surgical chapter. I know its going to be tough, real tough and I think I'm just in my head to much now that the day i here. Wish me luck, Hopefully I'm one of the lucky ones, and everything goes smoothly. Cant wait to give an exciting update,. If there is anyone else have a June bypass or even a recent one, Id love to have someone to compare war stories with. Also, anyone near San Antonio Tx? See ya soon with the future me. 💜
      · 1 reply
      1. Phil Penn

        Good Luck this procedure is well worth it I am down to 249.6 lb please continue with the process..

    • LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 2 replies
      1. Selina333

        I'm so happy for you! You are about to change your life. I was so glad to get the sleeve done in Dec. I didn't have feelings of regret overall. And I'm down almost 60 lbs. I do feel a little sad at restaurants. I can barely eat half a kid's meal. I get adults meals often because kid ones don't have the same offerings at times. Then I feel obligated to eat on that until it's gone and that can be days. So the restaurant thing isn't great for me. All the rest is fine by me! I love feeling full with very little. I do wish I could drink when eating. And will sip at the end. Just a strong habit to stop. But I'm working on it! You will do fine! Just keep focused on your desire to be different. Not better or worse. But different. I am happy both ways but my low back doesn't like me that heavy. So I listened (also my feet!). LOL! Update us on your journey! I'm not far from you. I'm in Houston. Good luck and I hope it all goes smoothly! Would love to see pics of the town you go to for this. I've never been there. Neat you will be traveling for this! Enjoy the journey. Take it one day at a time. Sometimes a few hours at a time. Follow all recommendations as best you can. 💗

      2. Doughgurl

        Thank you so much for your well wishes. I am hoping that everything goes easy for me as well. We don't eat out much as it is, so it wont be too bad in that department. Thankfully. Also, I hear you regarding your back and feet!! I'd like to add knees to the list. Killing me as we speak! I'm only 5' so the weight has to go. Too short to carry all this weight. Menopause really did a doosey on me. (😶lol) My daughter also lives in Houston. with her Husband and my 5 grand-littles. I grew up in Beaumont, so I know Houston well, I will be sure to keep in touch and update you on my journey. I may need some advice in the future, or just motivation. Thank You so much for reaching out, I was hoping to connect with someone in the community. I really appreciate it. 💜

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×