Hello everyone,

I am still in the research phase of this journey and I would like to see people's experiences with going out with friends either to bars, or parties and doing some social drinking. I am 22 soon to be 23 and I like to go out at least in the weekends and drink. I know that alcohol is empty calories but I am prepared to work out a little bit extra so I can go out 2-3 times a week. I guess my biggest concerns are if you would be able to drink enough to even get drunk without having to vomit (because of the volume) and if your tolerance goes up or down? Thanks in advance for any insights.

just like you i enjoy my saturday night coctails!!! i have not been able to drink my beer anymore--it just won't go down and boy do i miss it!!!!i can however have a few glasses of white wine.i keep emperimenting to find the perfect one. big difference from my miller lights but i'm adjusting. this has defiantly been worth giving up beer, i was banded 06/20/2008 and have lost 40 pounds so far and i feel great!!!! good luck to you----irish

I still go out and drink occasionally. I didn't drink beer for the first year after my band...I stuck with wine or cocktail with juice. I did notice my tolerance went way down and I never quite hit the "buzzed" stage. I would always go from sober to really drunk. I just had to learn to really watch how much I was drinking. I'm almost 3 years post banding...I drink beer when I go out....but really limit myself or I can get a really bad bloated feeling and cramps near my banding site.

Thamks for the answers guys, i knew i would have to give up beer but i was wondring about any alcohol thanks again

I think its with anything if you do it occassionally and not every night and have several drinks its fine. My thing I will have a couple of drinks on one night a weekend. But I make sure Iwork out that day. If I dont work out I dont get to drink. I also try to make it low calorie as possible. My doctor allows us to drink diet soda in moderation so you mix that with a rum alot less calories than my old pineapple vodka and malibu drink.

Going to a bar is one thing. It's a bad idea to drink soda and fruity sugar drinks too, so it can sometimes be lose lose, (beer is carbonated and will stretch the crap out of a lil pouch). Point being, if you have an option to plan your drink ahead of time for a house get to gether or togo bottle (of course if you aren't driving, we make mixed drinks and put it in color appropriate soda bottle for the train and take it into town to save on money AND calories!)

We use Crystal Lite and mix it with vodka or bacardi. Saves so many calories.