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I do not remember it being painful to drink, it was slow at first. But if you are curious about the effects on your band, use common sense, lots and lots of carbonation could cause your band to slip, stretch, or just in general cause problems with the band and your stomach. If you are going to be drinking mixed drinks you will be fine, even ones with soda. Once the ice melts a little and the alcohol diluting the soda, a drink becomes flat enough to drink easily. Obviously you don't eat as much anymore so be conscience of the effects of the alcohol, you won't need as much. And at the same time, too many drinks on a full stomach will lead to bloating and you will be very uncomfortable. Oh yea, I figured it would be worth mentioning, and this is probably not for everyone, but I get really gassy when I drink a lot of beer!! Heads up on that.

The alcohol itself does not hurt the band. I believe most surgeons don't want you to consume alcohol because of the calories and the mind set it puts you in to possibly eat many things you would not normally eat.

Wow! This post is so similar to a post I made today but I feel like these answers are much better than the ones I was getting. My health is important to me, but I've been holding off on the surgery due to the fact that I feel like I will only be young once and I'm being selfish and don't want to give up my partying. I've been talking to many people in their 40s and 50s who are all looking at my like I'm stupid for wanting to still have fun. My 21st birthday is in 2 months and I'd love to be able to drink. I know this sounds stupid but alcohol is such a big part of my life. My friends enjoy it, I dont want to be the one who's always left out or making my problem affect everyone else. I don't know what 21 year old doesn't have a social life that includes partying. I have other things in my life that I enjoy, but on weekends this is how my friends and I have fun and socialize and if im being 100% honest with myself, I'm not ready to give that part up. I'd still love to drink once a week, I read above that many people still do. I understand that it's a lot of empty calories but I am almost positive that the amount of calories I will be taking in with the lap band combined with exercise, I would have no problem losing weight. Anyone who has gone through the same thing, or thinking about going through the same thing, please message me or add me! I'm very concerned and need to do something about my weight & understand that takes lots of commitment and changes. At the same time I'd love to still have a somewhat decent 21 year old social life. I'd like to hear if that is something someones been successful at doing with the lap band. This has been one of the only things holding me back and if I saw this post a while back and realized I could still have a social drinking life with the band, maybe I would have started this process a lot longer ago.

What is the earliest anyone had a sip of alcohol? Not a lot, I know all about the calories. Going on a cruise in three weeks, just curious.

I am in my early 20s and just got the band. I was similarly concerned about how it would change my social life. I am only a few days into being banded, but I think the real changes for me on this topic came about a month ago, before I had the band. The truth is, you can have fun in moderation. I am a big drinker and social eater and often plan outings surrounding these things. The thing I have found out from being on my preop diet and being restricted in eating and not drinking is that people don't really care if I am eating fatty foods or drinking alcohol with them. As long as they can do those things, and I am not making my not-participation the focus of what is going on, then no one really minds. The bigger change will not come from your friends, but from you. You will have to learn to be fun and jolly and entertain yourself without the food/alcohol. No one is going to care if you order a Soup instead of a Pasta dish, or if you have a cranberry juice instead of a vodka tonic if you are still being fun and normal. Your friends like you for you, not for how much you can drink or eat. It is a hard transition though. I have added other things to my social life too, like doing-non drinking activities, like seeing a movie or going kayaking with a friend or going shopping, as a replacement to some of drinking/eating related things. I also went to a BBQ at my friends house where people could bring food but I provided food that I knew I would be able to eat without feeling deprived (I brough lots of grilled veggies, veggie burger and crab stuffed mushrooms and propel zero-- no one cared what I was eating or that I wasn't drinking and it was a ton of fun. I enjoyed myself way more not feeling guilty about over eating or worrying if someone counted how many chips I had had and was judging me and I felt the need to drink less). It will be different for every person though. These life changes are good ones. The sooner you start the sooner you get the band you will be able to have control of your life, feel good about yourself, and show other people how confident you are. Being able to have fun without alcohol is an awesome skill, and being able to having conversations and socialize without using food as a crutch will only make you a better friend. I just work hard not to make my new eating habits or band anyone else's problem. It requires planning and has changed my life, but for the better. I have had to really look at what is available on menus before getting to a restaurant and I always carry something that will curb my appetite in a pinch (although there are some fast food options that aren't awful, just look at nutrition and do your best to stay high, Protein and low carb). These things aren't hard though. I think it is good you are asking these questions and if you aren't ready to make some changes inside yourself with how you cope with social situations (not drinking or eating your way through them) then it probably isn't the time for you to get banded. It would be worse, in my opinion, to get banded now and feel like you are failing then to wait until you are mentally ready to give up some of the social comfort and let your friends still have it. The band won't be a cure for any of your bad habits or mental reasons for eating, so those changes need to either come first or you need to be prepared enough to fight them when the cravings come. Doing the 6 month preop nutritionist consults, meeting fellow bariatric surgery patients, being on this site, watching youtube videos, reading blogs and meeting with a therapist have all helped me realize that I don't use food in a normal way and in some ways that hinders my social life more than it helps. This is all just me though. I don't know if it relates to you, but as a young 20 something, the sooner you are happy, the better. It just might take more work mentally if you don't want to change your lifestyle 180 degrees, because the triggers and reasons to eat will still be there after the band. Good luck deciding and feel free to message if you have more questions.

Yes, we do follow a high proteing/low carb diet. The liquid diet and soft foods is for right after you have your surgery. When I am out and socializing I will have a couple of glasses of wine or a drink. You just have to be careful, you may feel the alcohol faster. I could only do 1 or 2 drinks depending on what I am drinking. Plus drinking alcohol may make you start eating junk food. But everyone once and awhile is no problem, we are human. Good luck to you if you decide to go with the lapband. Just do your research and go to a Seminar to see if it is the right thing for you. For me it was. I had my surgery in Sept. 2010 and have lost 130 lbs. I have a few more pounds to reach my goal. I don't think I never would have lost it without the lapband. WW and other diets just didn't work for me. Good luck again.

I think I know what she is saying. She wants to 'try' the pre-op diet we all are on before we get banded as a 'trial' to see if she can lose weight? Am I right? In anycase, we are on the pre-op for a reason: is to 'shrink' our liver before surgery. We will not be eatting like this for the rest of our lives. Once banded we will have what is called 'restriction' and will only be allowed to intake very small amount of foods in at a time. This is what gives ourselves the 'advantage' of loosing the weight and keeping it off. I know you said you are only 21 and still want to hang out and party. Understandably so, I know so many people banded and still continue with their daily lives. Yes, they go out and drink, party, eat, but its relatively in 'smaller' portions and when consuming alcohol you have to be super careful because drinks can easily add up to some pretty hefty calories and are loaded with sugar. Some of those yummy summer drinks can easily be over 800 calories for just one. Lastly, you really need to be ready to do this and have a good head on your shoulder when making this decision. Its not a miracle fix or cure, its a tool to help you lose the weight. My only advise to you because you are very young is to do more research on the lapband. go to youtube and watch the video about lapband surgery. Stay on this site and read read read. As said by Cazzy, I think some of the 'younger' bandsters could be of more help..... Best of luck to you in your decision -Patty

I can testify that alcohol will put on lbs. on you quickly!!! I had not had any alcohol in 1.5 years after being banded. I recently attended a graduation party and had several mixed drinks (about 5), plus, a few high caloric foods that weekend. I gained 10 lbs. in 2 days.

Thanks for replies everyone! I'd love to hear more, thanks for all the info and ideas! Papoose, when I said lap band diet, I was referring to the diet a website I found online that said I should try. It was something along the lines of a high protein/low carb diet for the first few weeks, then the liquid diet, then the soft foods, as well as keep the portions down to a few ounces.I didn't know much about it so I thought I'd ask around. As far as the food and alcohol goes, I'd be lying to say there wasn't a part of me that didn't want to go out with their friends once or twice a month, and there's absolutely nothing wrong with that as long as it's in moderation. I'll only be young once. I can deal with the smaller portions and giving up the alcohol the majority of the time, but not many people my age want to sit out on everything for the next few years. Maybe this means I'm truly not ready to commit. From what someone said above though, it does sound like there is some flexability if I do choose to have a lap band done where I could have my fun every once and a while. If this is true, maybe this is something I should look into more.

I agree with Papoose above - it's just smaller portions and nutrional choices. But without the band, I would think the smaller portions would keep me hungry all the time. It sounds like you may benefit from Weight Watchers and going to their meetings. It would keep you accountable for the weigh ins and not be so constricting on the food. And, if you exercise, you can add points you can save up for special occassions. It truly doesn't sound like you are ready to make the sacrafice needed to get the band at this time and, therefore, it may not work for you. You truly have to want it more than you want food and alcohol.

My surgeon is very conservative when it comes to advancing diet. Full liquids for 4-5 weeks post-op, then pureed/soft foods for a month. Alcohol is not recommended after any form of bariatric surgery because its wasted calories. After the sleeve and bypass procedures it can be very addicting, because of the changes in how its processed. I don't drink, so it isn't an issue for me. I'm 18 days post-op, and have lost 18.4 pounds since the morning of surgery. I've lost a total of 47 pounds since my first appointment with my surgeon (the 28th of April). I'm very pleased with the way things are going. Best of luck to you!

Thanks so much! I think it was just a Combo of the heat, alcohol, and being outside swimming all day long. I did not drink water how I shdve, and I did have some drinks lessoned learned.

I was also told that alcohol will have a total different effect on you after your surgery as well. It absorbs much quicker and you'll be drunk very quickly. Be safe! I'm only 6 days post surgery and on liquids for two weeks. Good luck with everything!!

I was released from te hospital after a two day stay and put on full liquids for two weeks and then two weeks of puréed. I was told I could have alcohol six weeks after surgery. They frown upon it because it's liquid calories. I am 27 years old and would like to have a glass of wine every now and again.

I order from the senior menu - smaller portions like the children's menu but usually more nutritious food. Learn a while ago from a waitress that a restaurant cannot legally "card" you for your age for the senior menu - they are only allowed to check ID for alcohol.

I waited a month per me drs instructions. Be up front with your doctor so he can be honest about how long you should wait. But I have never have a problem with alcohol. Other than I have noticed my band get tighter.

Eating has become a survival necessity. I'm 5 weeks post op and am almost 1/2 way to my goal counting the pre-op loss. Until I reach my goal, I eat because I have to take in the protein. Not because I like to eat. Big change from before. The food still tastes good but there so little of it I ofter wonder how I am surviving. I must be. My nut and doctor are pleased. My diabetes is gone. My blood pressure is gone. My sleep apnea is reduced. I haven't tried had any alcohol and might try a wine in a few weeks. I don't miss it and I was a daily drinker. I do a lot of crock pot meals. Moist chicken, fish, hamburger, hummus, tuna fish. No steaks (beef) yet.

I am six weeks out. I just got back from being on vacation over a week with family and friends. I did not get my protein or water in like I should. I ate sweets, lots of carbs and drank alcohol. I thought my body would reject them all but it was like old times. Which I hated. I need to detox and get back on track. I need suggestions in what I can do to detox and get a jump start because I am not losing.

I am pretty good about staying away from places that make me weak unless I have to be there. I work at Wegmans ( imagine trader joes, or whole foods ) so I am around smells of food (hell I run a kitchen) so almost every single day is a mental game. I usually tap my nose like a bad dog and wander away muttering at myself. It is almost sad that when I am at work around food every minute I barely eat, but get me on a day off and I make bad decisions, like I can rationalize that I had a super stressful week, I deserve that donut for not freaking out. Or get togethers with friends, out comes the bottle of rum (though this doesn't happen often). Food and alcohol is such a big part of my life (literally taking up most of my waking life) that I start to freak out about wanting the band and losing the only way I know how to have a good time and celebrate.

ice cream is my kryptonite too. i could care less about soda pop, alcohol or fried foods, but i love anything crunchy or sweet. For ice cream i try to look for a healthier substitute. Weight watchers ice cream, TCBY frozen yogurt bars, or a frozen sf jello pudding cup are all really good. ( maybe once a month i get a DQ mini blizzard, sigh........................) I rarely like salty stuff , but yesterday..............?well, i found a good chip sustitute, Simply7 lentil chips. ( www. simply7snacks), they have 130 cals for 31 chips. Not greasy but crunchy and salty enough to satisfy me. I found them in the snack section at T.J. Maxx ! I know,strange.....................

Water: Admittedly, I have tried a sip of Water at a meal. I can handle that, but no more and I only do it if I am really thirsty. The drinking thing has been the most difficult habit to break of all for me. Now I try to drink something right before I eat and that seems to help tide me over. My doc told me 30 minutes to an hour after I eat and now at 6 months out, 30 minutes is just fine. I have gotten good at distracting myself until then. Alcohol: I have had a few glasses of wine in the last month or so and it went down just fine. I don't see myself being a big drinker in the future, but it's another thing that's not permanently off the list. The alcohol processes differently now though. Totally different sensation after a glass of wine. Salad: I am one of the people that has no issue with salad, but I didn't start trying it until month 5. Raw veggies do just fine in my stomach, but I can't eat the quantity I used to. I used to be able to shovel a ton of salad down and now it is more like a cup of it.

The thing is, food addiction is just as real as any other addiction. In some ways it's the worst addiction there is, because an alcoholic can never drink again but we have to eat to live, so every day we're faced with our demon over and over again. It does get much easier once you have good restriction, however even perfect restriction doesn't cure head hunger. Have you possibly considered a counselor to help you over-come the head hunger and food addiction? I really think it would help considerably. Best wishes to you and hang in there.

Ugh. Ice cream is my kryptonite. Seriously is. Totally responsible for most of my regain. I just have to eliminate it from my diet. I have to treat it like an alcoholic treats alcohol. Evil evil stuff! I haven't had it in weeks. Not while I am back on track. Have to keep it away.

For me it does I drink one drink of alcohol not beer and I'm wasted I've found myself a few times with my head in the toilet from two drinks. A dame shame if you ask me because I like to party.

YOU BETCHA! I was 3 months out when I had my first alcoholic beverage and coffee. I'm out 3 years now and basically eat and drink whatever i want, including sodas (diet of course). But the only thing you will NOT be able to do is overeat (pigout) like before. And that is all well worth it. . . so don't freak out, time will get you there and then you'll smile at your question. . . but dont worry. . . life is good and your going to love it! good luck