I am new to the thread and hoping to be banded near June 20th or so.I have a question that may or may not be PC. I am wondering about drinking. I enjoy having a few drinks once or twice a week after work- mostly on Friday nights and I know what the drs say, but I am wondering how it is in the real world... thanks for your replies in advance.

Jen

Hi Jen, you will probably have a lot of trouble with beer and bubbly drinks, since many people cannot tolerate any sort of carbination. Other people have no trouble with bubbles. Many people just give it up because it is full of empty calories.

Many people report that they cannot drink nearly what they used to, since our pouch absorbs alchohol much faster than the larger stomach. I personally haven't noticed any difference in the amount I can drink, I'm still fine after one martini, tipsy after two.

I would highly recommend that you have a few "practice" drinks before going out drinking in public. If you are one of the ones who has a stronger reaction to alchohol after banding, you will want to know in private before you make a fool of yourself in public and start table dancing. Unless of course, you want to be table danicing...

Thanks of getting back to me... I was wondering if I offended people with my question. I know that the focus isn't supposed to be on vices (especially calory filled ones), but I am worried about others that don't know what I've done noticing that I can't do "normal" things. I drink rum and diets right now ( my dad is diabetic and I hate regular pop) and know that lots of people have probs with the cabonation. How long after surgery should you wait till you have a couple ( or even one) drink?

as for the table dancing - right now I'm not in the shape, but maybe after banding ... LOL

Thanks Jen

I would wait until your stomach is completely healed. Mayby six weeks or so, probably when you start on solid foods.

If you have a concern, by all means post it. You might find that the Lounge area more approprate to some of you concerns, but that's the area for "off topic" sorts of things. This is definately a support issue.

And heck, if I was worried about offending folks, I would never leave my house!

I am liking you more and more as I read your replys - thanks so much for the answer - this is such a huge thing. I am really excited, but I just get scared that it such a huge thing, mentally, physically, financially. thanks so much for your support! J

The key is always moderation. Most doctors won't put a band on someone with a drinking problem, but if you just enjoy an occasional coctail, that's not a problem.

And please don't worry about offending anyone here! We're all in the same boat, Sugar Plum! We all have our faults, and only a few of us are perfect (haha, go ahead everyone and start throwing shoes at me!) Okay, just kidding about being perfect, I am so far from perfect that it's not even funny, but this is the right place for you and all your questions. Good luck to you.

Thanks Delarla. I don't have a problem with it, I just want to make sure I can do normal things in the future. (I may be a little paranoiod And about offending... I so appreciate the support- it is nice to be w/ a group that you can ask whatever you want and not feel judged for it. Having this be my first post, I wanted to make sure noone thought I was a raging drunk - LOL. Thanks Guys!!

jen

I would agree about waiting until you are FULLY healed. As a nurse, I may be a little more sensitive to concerns about eroding your band area which alcohol could attribute to while healing. BUT after that...I'm limiting myself to a couple of drinks two nights a week...not on an empty stomach. Your right about the empty calories. 90 calories of a shot of tequila and 10 calories of Tropicana diet limeade with a squeeze of fresh makes a pretty good margarita:)

I still have my smoothie made with lots of fruits and vodka, yummmmm. I do try to maintain a few healthy choices, fruit is good for you, correct?

do try to maintain a few healthy choices, fruit is good for you, correct?<!-- / message --><!-- sig -->

ROFLMAO...

Hey guys..Im a little late catching onto this thread. I brought up the subject of drinking at our support group meeting...a dietician was there and I wanted to know what were healthier alternatives to my usual Toasted Almonds (cream,Kaluaha,Amaretto,nutmeg). I was advised that drinking can errode the band area and we can get drunker quicker....I know all this, however was just looking for some advice....My doctor didn't say anything about booze at all, and I think at my next visit with him I am going to ask him directly. Before my band I could drink with the best of them. Now, I would just limit myself to one drink when I am out with my friends...a social drink I guess you could say. I know enough not to push things, I know enough not to jepordize my health or band but once every other week (IF THAT~) I don't see a problem with that...sooo I did a little poking around the internet and found nutricianal information on booze and drinks.

Vodka Collins...........17 carbs 175 calories

Bloody Mary.......... 5 carbs 123 cal

Vodka and Cranberry 18 carbs 172 cal

Daiquiri................. 49 carbs 314 cal

Rum and diet coke..... 0 carbs 133 cals

Frozen Margarita...... 27 carbs 246 cal

Margarita/Rocks........ 8 carbs 182 cal

Long Island Ice Tea... 4 carbs 275 cal

Gin and Tonic.......... 21 carbs 178 cal

Martini..................... 0 carbs 175 cal

Whisky sour............ 17 carbs 175 cal

Manhattan............... 4 carbs 210 cals

Beer: Regular 12 oz..13 carbs 150 cal

Light...............5 carbs 100 cal

Wine: 6 oz white.....1.4 carbs 120 cal

red.......3 carbs 128 cal

rose......2.5 carbs 128 cal

Sweet Desert Wine...21 carbs 270 cal

I hope this information can be somewhat useful to those of us who chose to have an occassional drink.

Have a great day!

Jen,

I have brought up this subject in a number of threads and posts on here, as it was also a big concern of mine. Here is a link to a thread that I started a few weeks ago. I did ask my Dr. about this numerous times, and I also posted his suggestions.

http://www.lapbandtalk.com/showthread.php?t=7436&highlight=happy+hour

Hope this helps!