do you find that drinking - booze - makes the band seem to open wide ?

Actually for me its the opposite. If I'm going to have a drink - more than a glass of wine - I need to be VERY careful because I tend to forget to chew enough.

Yes, wine makes me relax in more ways then one. I tend to make bad food choices when drinking.:eek: I drink in moderation.

I am now limited in the type of drinks I consume since I can't drink carbonated stuff anymore, but I do enjoy wine now, and an occasional vodka and cranberry/pomegranate juice. My band seems to be very connected to my moods. If I'm angry, upset, sad, STRESSED, depressed or emotional, my band is tight. A glass of wine helps me relax and my band is fine. My band tightens on a long air plane ride as well. If it's not a morning flight, the glass of wine seems to help that as well. I did get tipsy a lot faster after banding though so you need to be careful. Also, since we all tend to be obsessive (food addicts) becoming a lush after banding is also a concern. Just be prudent.

My band is always tighter the day after drinking. I've had a few beers, one here or there and that is much worse. I usually drink wine or margarita or vodka & cranberry. Regardless, the band is always tighter and I don't feel bloated like I did before I has the band and drank. Strange. Also, eating a big fat greesy burger and onion rings the next day was a sure hangover cure but now, I'm not hungry the day after a drinking binge either. Strange how it all works.