Hi all,

I had my consultation with my surgeon on Friday. Things went great, but 1 question went unanswered, well, kind of. I asked him several times about drinking alcohol, but all he had to say is that it is high in calories, stay away. I am not a big drinker but, one of my favorite hobbies is planning 3-4 "theme parties" a year to get all of our friends together. People come from all around, and it is surely a blast! On these occasions I usually like to get a "buzz" or maybe go a little further and *gasp* get intoxicated..lol. I want to know what happens if you drink (non carbonated) alcoholic beverages on the band?? Or rather crudely asked... is it possible to get drunk if you are banded?? lol.. Thanks in advance, I really appreciate any input:)

~Kerri

I too would like the answer to this question. I did go out and drink socially before being banded.....hope it is still ok. From what I've read so far the worst is just the high calories and no nutritional value....which should be fine as long as it is just an ocasional thing.

lets just say im a cheap date since being banded. went out to dinner on friday nite. after 4 bites of salad and one martini, im like cant eat anymore and cant drink anymore........ totally buzzed off one martini. i used to drink 3 and not even worry about it. the booze can hit you hard and fast. i dont drink often, but one drink is all i can have now........

I am 9 days post op and decided I would have a margarita at housewarming party...liquids right? Well I was buzzed after 1. So I have learned after the band you become a SUPER lightweight. Yes you can drink and YES you will get drunk faster. But Be careful not to get sick because you do not want to risk vomiting and making the band slip.

I love my alcohol. The problem with it is that is keeps you from losing weight due to the calories. It also dehydrates you and if you are drinking alchohol, your not drinking water which is also detrimental to you. I have a drink everyday (sometimes 2) and have an no issues (other than slowing my weight loss down) (I've lost 41 pounds since banding 4 months ago). What you are wanting (a few times a year shouldn't hurt you). Just realize you will get buzzed easily since you are eating less, so take it slow. Good luck.

Thanks all:) You are great help!

~Kerri

I Was Told No Carbonation, Soda, Beer, So On. It Can Give You Hard Core Gas Pains.

Get pished once in a while - It wont harm - It may do you good - be well

Kerri, you should find that you will not need as much alcohol to get a buzz. I drink too. It does slow your weight loss down considerable. I averge 1-2 lbs per week and drink at least 1 drink a day.

I Was Told No Carbonation, Soda, Beer, So On. It Can Give You Hard Core Gas Pains.

I was told that carbonation can stretch your pouch, so steer clear. I have a daily alcoholic beverage with soda and an occassional beer and have had no issues. It has slowed weight loss down I am sure (but so has not working out)

I have a few drinks now and then. (No carbonation) Be careful, though. Truly pace yourself and be aware of how buzzed you are. Things can go south fast. I had a bad experience and vomited several times. Not good.

Well, I don't know which kind of alcoholic beverages we're talking about here, but I love my liquor.

Well, it's my opinion that it's unreasonable to ban everything enjoyable from one's life unless it's absolutely necessary. They say no carbonation then I say don't do it. But, no one is saying "no alcohol". And, if your dr is saying "no alcohol".....I'd dig a little deeper for the reasons. If it's life threatening to YOUR medical situation then of course---abstaining is key. But, if it's the calorie content then if you know that and choose to imbide, you have the information you need to make a decision. Like everything else---moderation is the key. I truly believe that each one of us has to figure out a way to make this work for our life. For me.....I love gin and tonics. Carbonation! So, I had to give them up and have made peace with that. I'm trying to enjoy gin martinis instead. Not straight up! Extra lime and extra ice. It's not so bad as long as it's a good quality gin. Thankfully, my husband has been a gin martini drinker for years and has mastered the blend. So, I didn't have to endure the misery of lousy gin!!! LOL!! Also, my husband and I belong to a wine club and take several wine trips a year. In fact, for his 50th B-day, we are going to Napa...can't wait to buy some new smaller clothes for that trip!!! For my husband, wine is an art form. He spends hours researching wines, exploring wine and food combinations and acquiring specific wines. Although I don't share his passion for the "legwork", I know that part of the enjoyment he gets from all of it is sharing it with his loved ones. That is a big part of our life. And, I get great joy out of all of it. Would I stop that? Absolutely not. I do not drink everyday except for when we are at the beach for 2 weeks every summer. So, I will find a way to do these things that makes sense for me. If I was told that alcohol would break my band---that might have given me some pause before I got banded. Not that I would not do it. But, I would have needed to really think about it in a whole new way. Getting our bands is about enjoying our lives. And, I say that each of us need to remember that and embrace those things that give us joy. Having said all that---I don't endorse getting totally trashed. Although I've been there, done that...LOL!!!! But, from experience---I know what could happen!!! Vomitting is not a good thing for our bands!!!! And, that morning after is not fun either. At my age....it's not even a "morning after"......it's the 2 days after!!!! LOL!!!

Cheers!

I seldom drink, but do like a glass of wine on occasion. My surgeon told me that one every once in a while is ok :mad:

I am 20 and absolutely love going out clubbing. I am very serious about my weight loss and am possibly getting my surgery in November, I still haven't spoken to my surgeon yet, but I am booked in. I still want to go out clubbing and get drunk, as I love going out and am still very young...will I still be able to drink and get drunk? (I understand it may affect the weight loss)

I got my band just a month after i turned 21, and i still havent had an alchoholic beverage... JUST kidding! I do drink on the weekends, and I have had some beer... but that was a few months after getting the band, I took it really easy with alchohol at first... and now im fine with it. - even beer, But sometimes it will bother me, and then I will just stop drinking it! Your body will let you know what is ok and what isnt! So no worries