I've not read the effects of alcohol on post operative care. Is it allowed? I'm not talking about getting smashed. Is a beer or two allowed? A glass or two of wine? I know it is probably not a good idea, but is it prohibited.

I drink alcohol socially. Maybe once or twice a month I dont think its a big deal. The only thing is, not to do it too often. Lots of calories! And I can't drink as much as I did before the band because I get tipsy a lot faster, probably because I never have that much food in my stomach. Cheers!

Carbonated drinks - Why we shouldn't have them -Explained

See video, about half way through:

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C3tYliTpDiY]YouTube - Third Fill Appointment - Part C - Lap...[/ame]

Of course, when I do drink alcohol, my drinks have *no* carbonation:)

*Love*, I enjoyed the video. Thanks

That was a great explanation...never heard that from my doctor! I'm having a hard time with the alcohol myself....

That was a great explanation...never heard that from my doctor! I'm having a hard time with the alcohol myself....

When you say you are having a hard time with it....does that mean your system is not tolerating the alcohol? Would you mind explaining. I like to have a drink once in awhile and would love to continue after surgery. But, if I end up not being able to tolerate it, I will give it up:mad2:

When you say you are having a hard time with it....does that mean your system is not tolerating the alcohol? Would you mind explaining. I like to have a drink once in awhile and would love to continue after surgery. But, if I end up not being able to tolerate it, I will give it up:mad2:

No, it's not that I can tolerate it...I can and that's the problem. I watch though because I don't want to ever vomit from drinking so I am very careful. I just think that a drink here and there adds calories that I shouldn't have. I'm just not ready to give up a few drinks on the weekend but I realize I need to make up for it with exercise. I guess what I mean is I'm having a hard time not drinking like *Love* said in the video.

No, it's not that I can tolerate it...I can and that's the problem. I watch though because I don't want to ever vomit from drinking so I am very careful. I just think that a drink here and there adds calories that I shouldn't have. I'm just not ready to give up a few drinks on the weekend but I realize I need to make up for it with exercise. I guess what I mean is I'm having a hard time not drinking like *Love* said in the video.

Thanks for your explanation. I, too, like to have a couple socially. I usually plan ahead during the week and tweak my diet to allow the extra calories if I know I might have a drink or two on the weekend.

like *Love* said in the video.

That is not me in the video.

Happy Hour with my husband is going to be a HUGE issue for me, but not something I can't live with. We have been social drinkers for 30 some years now, and it has become so routine to sit and relax before dinner with converstion and a drin or beer or so. Kerry

I am on my forth week and my dr said as long as you are not taking pain meds you can drink an occasional drink, just remember empty calories.. I drank wine a couple times.. no more than 2 glasses per time.. one time for a birthday and one time for a wedding shower.. I use a online calorie tracker for my foods and always add my wine in if I have it.. so that I do not go over my calorie limit.. now Beer???? dont think we can drink that.

So I had my band put on 5-16-08. Do you think I can go and have a glass or two of wine Sat night? I haven't had any yet and I'm a little scarred to do anything wrong. Also would a Cigarette or two hurt? I am not a smoker but sometimes I like to have one when I drink. Or should I just stay home?

I was banded on May 15th and I had a glass of wine while out to dinner last weekend. The weekend before, I had a White Russian with the gang after work on Friday. They both tasted good and gave me no problems! The only problem is when you add the nutritional info into your daily count (I do mine on TheDailyPlate.com) it's shocking how many empty carbs and calories they are. I try to think about that when I'm tempted to indulge in a 2nd!

I don't smoke so I can't answer to that one.

Obviously we can't drink beer or champagne anymore. I really did enjoy my beer. But I don't miss it near the amount I thought I would. I do have an occasional glass of wine and sometimes a bloody mary. The tiny cans of V8 are just enough for a cocktail and only have 30 calories, and are also nutritious. Be careful though. I went to Vegas a few weeks ago and had two vodka martinis at the Stratosphere Tower. I don't remember leaving, going down the elevator or getting in a taxi. That is NOT good, and so NOT me. I've never gotten hammered off of just two drinks. Things change once you're banded. Now I'm a cheap date. LOL Seriously. Be careful until you know how it's going to affect you. Even one drink now will give me a nasty headache the next day.

Last night, after discovering that our movie was sold out, me & my friends decided to hit up a bar to see a couple of live bands play. This is the first time I've been in a bar since I was banded (on 5/29). My 1st reflex was to order a beer, but I froze in my tracks! I realized that beer was now off limits! My 2nd instinct was to order my beer back-up, a rum & Coke...ah CRAP!!! No Coke either! After a brief panic, I decided that it's the hard stuff or nothing. I ordered a Wild Turkey straight up on the rocks. I totally forgot what straight bourbon tasted like. When I took the 1st sip, my face shriveled up like when you suck a lemon. "Uh, this is terrible," I thought. After about three of those, I began to adapt to the taste. Then came the tequila shots...& some more Wild Turkey. I eventually got sloppy drunk! I'm not sure if it was from not having any real food in me belly or from drinking the "hard" stuff, or both. All I know is that I feel terrible today! (stomach is all gassy, too) I'll have to get used to putting away the hard stuff from now on & suffer the dangerous surly consequences or just safely stick to my other recreational habit. (see the "Marijuana Use After Surgery " thread in this forum.)