Beer With The Band

[BigRush 1]

OK, I know this has probably been asked before but... I like to drink beer on the weekends and I'm know that I shouldn't drink beer after the surgery because of the calories but... Is it ok to drink beer on the weekends or something? How is beer drinking after being banded?

[Allison0927 329]

it's not really the calories that make beer a no no (although obviously calories are always an issue) it's the carbonation. the bubbles stretch your pouch - so no carbonated drinks unless you want to stretch your pouch and ruin the benefits of the surgery. Trust me, breaking up with diet pop and lite beer about killed me but i did it - haven't had either in 4+ months. I've switched to flavored water (o calories) and on weekends - a shot of absolute in a Water glass filled with ice and water - and i add crystal lite for a low cal drink. 3-4 of those and i'm feeling good without tons of calories. I've been steadily losing doing that - a huge calorie saver over the 8 lite beers i'd have every weekend before surgery. BEST OF LUCK TO ALL OF US ON OUR JOURNEYS!!!

[cheryl2586 3,053]

dont feel that giving up anything was like a death sentence. If you want beer drink it but its a bunch of empty calories when you could be eating good nutrious food. Why waste calories on beer when it will only slow your weight loss. Get at goal then drink an occasional beer. As fas as carbonation goes I dont believe that theory it will stretch the pouch when it goes straight through the hole in the stoma its not sitting in the pouch. I just dont drink it because its empty calories and I dont need it anymore

[Allison0927 329]

There's lots of disagreement out there and on this site about whether carbonation stretches the pouch or not. My insurer - United Healthcare - has the barriatric folks call me monthly to check in and they are adament that it stretches the pouch despite the hole, despite the liquid going down into the large part of the stomach - etc. In fact, my one contact at United Healthcare tells me that world champion eating contest participants actually drink a lot of diet pop right before a competition in order to stretch their stomachs before a contest. I am not a dr. but anything that MIGHT stretch the stomach or pouch - i'm going to steer clear of - it's not worth the risk. There are people on here that still drink beer and other carbonation - it's up to you - just like the rest on this journey.

[Corrigan 75]

We went to a Mexican restaurant last night for a birthday party and I had my first beer since surgery a month ago. I ordered a second, but couldn't drink it because the effects of the alcohol from the first hit and I was afraid I wouldn't be able to drive home. I was a beer maker for 20 years and was able to drink, but not anymore. I think that after WLS, at least the band, alcohol has a much greater effect than it did. The carbonation wasn't a problem, but the alcohol was. So I guess we just have to be more careful. After fills it'll probably be a different story. Then the carbonation will<BR>probably be restrictive.

[Lisa1967 0]

My surgeon did tell me that after being banded one or two drinks would make you the life of the party =)

We went to a Mexican restaurant last night for a birthday party and I had my first beer since

surgery a month ago. I ordered a second, but couldn't drink it because the effects of the

alcohol from the first hit and I was afraid I wouldn't be able to drive home. I was a beer

maker for 20 years and was able to drink, but not anymore. I think that after WLS, at least

the band, alcohol has a much greater effect than it did. The carbonation wasn't a problem,

but the alcohol was. So I guess we just have to be more careful. After fills it'll probably

be a different story.

[donricardo 2]

When I have tried to drink beer it does not feel well. It seems like the beer goes down fine but the burp can't come out from beneath the band. So just imagine feeling like you need to take a nice big beer burp and not being able to..... not worth it to me. So I just had to accept life without beer.

[BigRush 1]

OK, I know this has probably been asked before but... I like to drink beer on the weekends and I'm know that I shouldn't drink beer after the surgery because of the calories but... Is it ok to drink beer on the weekends or something? How is beer drinking after being banded?

Thanks Guys! I guess I have until 10/31 to enjoy my beer! College football is going to be a bit differet without my cold beer!

[Chubbywithmuscles 20]

One or two beers for me at the most......I feel all gassy and full......but I rarely drink beer anymore.....I'll have a shot or two of something strong to feel good however......

[jayres14 17]

My surgeon did tell me that after being banded one or two drinks would make you the life of the party =)

I wonder why that happens? What does the band have to do with getting drunk quicker? I noticed the other night that after only a few sips of a margarita on the rocks that I was already feeling tipsy. It seems to me that the drink would go right through the stoma so it would be digested the same for the banded versus the regulars. Maybe it is because we eat less so there is less to absorb it?? IDK, but that is very interesting. Anyone know the real facts about it??

[klariade 7]

My guess would be that since you're generally eating a lot less, the alcohol is getting absorbed into your system faster. I can handle a glass of wine (maybe two on a good day) and that's about it. The upside is it's a lot cheaper to drink!

As for beer, I generally stay away from it these days. If I do have a beer (I'm a Pennsylvania girl, so I gotta have my lager once in awhile!), I let it sit for a bit before drinking it, and then I drink it VERY slowly! If I try to drink it too quickly or don't let it sit for a bit then it hurts. It's a good idea to stay away from it for the most part.

[NurseShay 24]

Beer hurts!! Plain and simple. Maybe not early on in the begining before you get any fills but the carbanation on any like products do not feel good. I've heard people saying to let your drink sit out and sort of get flat then it's tolerable but at that point who wants it? Besides if you're getting banded to change your eating habits then plan on changing your eating habits- or you'll be one of the people who find themselves posting on how "the band doesn't work" for them a year out. But if you really need a buzz I'd suggest a distilled alcohol on the rocks over beer, they have the least amount of calories and get to the point since you wont have the capacity to gulp down multiple beers anyways!

[Bruinfan 2]

You're going to hear a ton of varying opinions about the beer. I've spoken with 5 Lapband doctors and they all state the carbonation will not stretch the pouch but they did state beer was not wise due to the empty calories. I've had beer numerous times with no issues at all and I've had 3 fills and I'm still losing weight slowly but still losing.

[JimR915 21]

I view this a bit more philosophically.

I had the lapband so that I could get healthy, first, and lose weight, second. Both important.

What I'm not willing to do is to let my band become a prison in the sense that it rigidly prevents me from indulging in what makes life a joy to live.

I believe in "everything in moderation". Today, I follow a healthy diet, I go to the gym 4 times per week, and I greatly restrict the amount of alcohol I take in (carbonated or otherwise). That said, if I want a beer or 2 at a ball game, or a bite of dessert from time to time, I go for it. As long as it is the exception, and not the rule.

I have always been known in my circle of friends as the guy who appreciates good beers. I like being that person, and I like the flavor of a well crafted beer. I'm not willing to let the band change that.

For those people who think this will doom me to failure, I can only say that I am pleased with my current weight loss results. My health has never been better (sugar and blood pressure). All this, and I have managed to keep a small amount of beer in my diet.

BTW, I asked my WLS doctor about the carbonation and his opinion was that carbonation would not stretch the stoma. He pointed to a lot of other foods that cause a lot of gas as a by-product that we are still allowed and encouraged to eat.

[Lollicatt 36]

I love Beer too! My Doc told me that the carbonation bubbles stretching your pouch is a bunch of balogny. It's the empty (and liquid) calories that is the issue. If you want to have Beer...HAVE BEER!!! Just be aware of what you are eating the rest of the day and make sure and count those suckers.