Alcohol After The Lap Band

[running_scared 125]

Ok, I know that alcohol contains empty calories, and it should be limited or avoided to maximize weight loss, but that being said, does anyone drink with the lap band?

A few times a year, I wind up out with my girlfriends, and we tie one on. Is that going to be something of the past, once I have my band? A friend of mine, who is going to be banded after me, thinks that the band will lower our alcohol tolerance. Is that true?

What was your experience?

[shues138 35]

You're going to get a ton of different responses in regards to this. When I went through my pre-op my dr told me that it would be okay to drink, but I would be a cheap date because my tolerance is going to drop. He said to try my first drink at home or at a safe place in case I have any adverse reactions.

I'll tell you what though, last Friday, I went out with some friends to our local casino for a birthday. I ate dinner around 7 ish I would say, and it was a total a cup of food. By the time we got to the casino it was like 11pm or so. I didn't start drinking until 1am, had three drinks and was black out drunk. Mind you I'm 6 feet tall and 288 lbs, that should be nothing. But since I didn't eat much that day it affected it. So please please please be careful with drinking! And it is empty calories but everything in moderation!

[byrd 28]

It took me 3 months to tolerate drinking margaritas, but now i go to happy hour twice a month.

[Allison0927 329]

can drink shot of vodka in Water glass with ice/water/crystal light to fill up the difference - lowest calories that i know of for a drink - goes down fine - several of them in a night.

[Lollicatt 36]

I drink about 2xs per month and all is fine. I haven't noticed anything different on how fast it affects me.

[Shellyac 22]

I have gone out drinking a few times recently and generally I do get drunk of fewer drinks, it also differs by who makes them because if you are at a place where they don't go by standard amounts you can get in trouble

[Ric 89]

After going through a Divorce I have been drinking Steady for about 3 months. I nrmally Drink Vodka Water with a Squeeze of Lemon. But I am a very cheap date! Beer Makes me have gas so I do not do that anymore!

[elcee 3,341]

When you eat less the alcohol will hit quicker. Also as your body weight drops it will take less alcohol before you are affected. So by all means have a drink or 2 but be very careful and make sure you do not inadvertently end up over the limit.

One of my worst experiences since having the band was when I drank too much wine at a friends. I woke up in the middle of the night with a headache and feeling like I wanted to hurl. Preband that is what i would have done - stuck my finger down my throat to speed the process up . Unfortunately vomiting post band is not so easy ( and it is not recommended either as true vomiting can cause the band to slip) so I had to suffer for far longer. Lesson learnt, I have not done it again.

[Jenn1214 120]

I rarely drink anymore, only when I go out and I try to limit it. For me, there are several reasons:

1. I'm a cheap date now. Two glasses of wine and I am trashed.

2. Alcohol slows weight loss. I'm working too damn hard to sabotage myself.

3. Drinking lowers inhibitions and makes me crave fatty foods. After a few drinks all I want is Mexican and ice cream. And more drinks.< /p>

All in all, alcohol is something I'd rather avoid for now.

[1shauna1 129]

This may sound bad, but I drink often. And I don't find I get drunk THAT much quicker. Sometimes alcohol helps loosen my band if it's a bit tight and I'm having a stuck day. I usually drink once a week (a few), maybe another night a couple glasses of wine. As above, many people get drunk quicker because they aren't eating as much, so just be careful.

[Talk teacher 11]

I am glad you asked this question too. I like to have a drink occasionally as well and was wondering how I would feel after my band. Got banded on 2/21 so I havent ventured there yet but maybe I will try a glass of wine soon and see how it goes.

[Allison0927 329]

I am glad you asked this question too. I like to have a drink occasionally as well and was wondering how I would feel after my band. Got banded on 2/21 so I havent ventured there yet but maybe I will try a glass of wine soon and see how it goes.

my surgeon said no alcohol for 4-6 weeks after banding. Then thereafter in moderation (which i admit i sometimes go overboard). There's something about alcohol and the healing stomach that they are concerned with. When you said you may try wine soon i just thought i'd share in case your surgeon had rules on when you could have your first "nip".

[rockonhan 10]

I've enjoyed some wine since surgery, but not nearly as much as before. I haven't noticed a change in my tolerance yet...I think that will affect me more as I lose weight.

The hardest part of drinking is the dumb food decisions that I make when I drink too much. So moderation is key so I don't get myself to that place of fuzzy decision making.

[Kiskis 56]

A lot of good posts. I drink less as I want to keep losing weight. I save it for night out with my hubby or friends. But not only I am a light weight I find that I get wicked heartburn. I can't drink red wine anymore unless I eat an 30-45 mins before. I tend to drink martini's - dangerous. I like them as I can make them low in sugar. I find when on vacation and I drink daily it tightens my band up so much I can't eat. And if I drink I need to eat and can eat to close to bed which creates brutal acid reflux. Becarefull and do not drive after having a drink. Be safe all!

[Humming Bird 275]

I didn't drink any alcohol for the first 6 months after being banded. When I did drink those first couple times I did get drunk very fast on a very small amount. Now I drink wine or a margarita now and then. I still do feel it faster and on small amounts, but not as much as I did in the weightloss phase. Any type of carbonation causes discomfort for me.