Just out of couriosity, did everyone on this board give up alcohol entirely once they were banded? That seems to be a big issue for some people who are interested in the band - they don't think they can deal with not ever having a drink again. I told them I would check with you guys (the smartest bandsters in the world) for more information. Please provide specifics - like when (after banding) it is okay and how much & how often or if Never.

Thanks,

You *should* avoid it b/c of "cheap calories" and the carbonation but you can have it if you want.

I have a glass of red wine about 3-4 nights a week. At social functions I have 2. I am going to France in November and will surely be tasting their wines daily.

Beer works for me some days and others its uncomfortable. I do find it easier to drink when its been poured over ice and/or mixed with tomato or clamato juice.

Margaritas work for me as long as they aren't overly sweet. Probably means they have more tequila than mix...

I don't drink at all, never have done... This kinda surprised the consultant who performed my op. Maybe he recalls his days as a drunken medical student with fondness and can't imagine anyone being teetotal.

I was told to not drink for six months. Because the first six months is where you lose the most weight and they dont want that many empty calories to go in your system. I havent had one since June and I am ready for a Margarita! Christmas here I come!

Angie

I was wondering about salads. Can you guys eat salads. I want one so bad. I am two weeks out and had a sip of wine the other night and it was no problem

I have had a mixed drink once, but with no carbonation. I think the real issue is calories and carbonation, not that the alcohol itself is bad for you. I think its much more of an issue with gastric bypass people due to absorbtion issues.

According to my post-op diet. I am not supposed to eat raw vegetables for about 5 months! I have had a tiny bit of lettuce, but mostly cooked vegetables. At only 2 weeks out, I was just beginning mushy food - most people would tell you that you should definiely NOT eat raw vegetables at all for a while, not this soon. :-)

Thanks for the info. I am on mushie foods also. But the problem that I have is I get the hiccups everytime I drink or eat. My mom says I am swallowing to much air and if that the truth how do I stop. I have lost about 15 pounds so far.

Salads, yes for me. I have no trouble with lettus or spinach greens.

I drink, not regularly, but I do indulge every now and again. I've had a glass of a very lovely stout, but mostly I drink mixed drinks. I am not a wine drinker, but I am a beer snob.

frozen blended drinks are harder for me bacause it shuts down my band.

I have only recently been able to handle salads. (4 1/2 months out)

I drink my margaritas on the rocks

Hiccups can be a sign that you are full - I always got them at first and it really helped me to recognize when I was full.

I was told to just avoid carbonatin. So that meant no vodka tonics anymore. But there are plenty of other mixers to enjoy w/vodka. I wasn't a big drinker preband & am now even less of one after band. Age I am sure has something to do with it.

I drink socially. I have wine with dinner a couple of times a week. Before this last fill, I could drink beer slowly. Now, I'm not so sure.

I stick with mixed drinks mostly. I try to find low cal mixers for them. My current favorite is flavored rum (there are all types) and diet V8 Splash.

Of course if you go out to a bar, they are not going to have that available. Try vodka and cranberry.

Good Luck and have fun.

Please someone tell me if you get the hiccups . I get them all the time. I want to know why and they will not bother me as much.

Hiccups can be a sign that you are full - I always got them at first and it really helped me to recognize when I was full.

You may have missed Road Queens comment.

A couple of drinks a week arent a problem and there are health benefits to moderate wine consumption anyway.

But it pays to remember that in general alcohol is basically just empty calories.

What decided me on the band when I was hung up on things like this was that even if you're not banded, if you want to lose weight and keep it off, you have to give up these things anyway. You cannot leave yourself a safety hatch so that you can overindulge if you really want to - that is why you're where you are in the first place. So being banded in terms of weight loss is really the same as being unbanded. You simply have to get your head around the fact that if you want the result you're after you cannot ever behave that way again!

So tell your friends that yes, there is no going back after banding. But really, to lose weight and keep it off, there can be no going back anyway. Banding just ensures you stick to that.

alcohol was never mentioned to me and i've drink about the same amount as before - about once a fortnight. I find any carbonated drinks uncomfortable so i drink wine, or wait for it to go a bit flat.