Hi all, my name is scott, and I am looking to get banded soon. I have 1 more appointment with the head shrinker before I can get a surgery date. I am very excited to get this weight off and keep it off. one rumor I have heard is that I can no longer drink beer after surgery, it is really not a road block for me, but what are the consequences if I was to partake in the frosty-cold delicious adult beverage, I used to drink it a lot several years ago but have slowed way down to a trickle, maybe a couple on the weeked doing yard work,but I don't want to lose that couple:thumbdown:, any thoughts, is it a lost thing of the past? Please send me some good news! soda is not an issue, I am not a big soda drinker anyway.

The carbonation can be quite painful with the band as it reaches your little pouch and expands it. It is also believed by some that this expansion can permanantly stretch the pouch allowing you to eat more.

I was hooked on Diet Pepsi and have given it up. I miss the beer when I go out to a game or concert but otherwise there are alternatives and the sacrafice has been worth it.

I too enjoy a beer every now and then and have 2 diet pepsis a day! I know I’ll have to give them up if/when I am banded. But, I’m willing to do it for the sake of my health. J

My hubby suggested I could just let them get flat before drinking…hah!

I have read on here that people still drink carbonated beverages but they wait till they are flat. I have not tried soda or beer, and to be honest I don't miss them either. Soda was my vice before this surgery. diet coke, diet coke, diet coke.

I gave it up about two months before my surgery and it helped that did it before hand , one less thing to worry about.

I haven't attempted soda since being banded, but I have tried a beer -- sometimes it is hard to pass up when out. Well, I tried it once, just one sip, and believe me, it isn't something I'll try again, at least not for a long time.

Soda has been easier to give up - I am drinking lots of diet snapple and regular brewed ice tea.

I also still drink wine! I know it is impeding my weight loss, but every now and then I do like a glass of wine, and I am glad it goes down just like always!

I think everyone is different, so you might be fine having a beer now and then.

Sip on a Jello shot instead...:thumbdown:

I have always been an exception to the norm when it comes to lap-band. I can drink while I eat and I do drink a beer once and awhile. I have not really had any problems with beer or soda, but I just don't drink very much, but I also beleive you still have eat and drink things that you like!

It depends on your doc. At one year out my doc told me that NOW if it doesn't hurt, it's ok. I'll say this though; I liked beer (probably like you did) and I am unable to drink it "my way". The days of getting an icy cold long neck and taking a good swallow are gone, at least for me. It HURTS. I can drink a beer IF I pour it into a glass and make sure I have a huge head of foam (gets rid of some of the carbonation) Then I can take swallows, but no "big swallow", no drinking it too quickly. There's no "gusto" if you get my drift. So I can drink it but, to me, it's not worth all the rigamarole.