any one with this answer

QueenMichelle · October 11, 2004

ok clear liquids-- i guess that during vacation (a month after surgery) does that include- white wine, vodka, gin, rum--they are all clear and well give a better kick than water--lol--seriously what have you heard about alcohol after the process-- anyone experienced on the topic?

Someone suggested i take a blender on my trip!!!!! YOU"VE GOT TO BE KIDDING!

gunn4ya · October 11, 2004

I am still awaiting approval for my surgery but from everything I've read and heard is that you really dont want to waste the caloric intake on an alcoholic beverage. I could be wrong but they are rather high in calories.

Good luck on your surgery.

Alexandra · October 11, 2004

Hi QueenMichelle,

The general thinking about alcohol post-banding is that there's no MAJOR reason to avoid it, but as Gunn said it's just empty calories. I've also heard people say that they can eat a lot more after a drink or two, and besides all the extra calories it's also a path to pouch damage or band irritation/slippage. For my money, not drinking just avoids a host of potential problems.

Penni60 · October 11, 2004

QueenMichelle: I have found that post band drinking is a shock. I can get happy on two sometimes only one drink. Depends on how strong it is made. And yes you do have to be more careful when drinking cause as we all know it can impair your judgement at times and you could do damage to your band. My rule of thumb is when drinking while being banded is to drink one drink then have a glass of Water. Helps flush out the liquor and keeps you from getting dehydrated and avoids a hangover the next day. If I eat while drinking I only put enough food on the small plate and eat from that plate only. I don't ask for seconds at all. I munch on little things that go down easy. If I slip and eat something I know I shouldn't then I just stop drinking till it passes.

The whole thing to drinking and being banded is the empty calorie issue and potentially doing damage to your band. Keep those two things in mind and enjoy the libation. LOL!!!

bjkgriffith · October 11, 2004

I love to drink. I drink Margarettas and wine. The BIGGEST problem for me is that not only can I eat more when I drink, but the whole next day or 2 my esophagus is so irritated that I can barely eat anything without spasms. Anyone else experience that?

Barb

Rebeccalee · October 11, 2004

I've never heard of that, Barb. But the weekend my esophagus problem (that lasted a month!) started, I had some hard lemonade 2 days in a row. Hmm.... I'll have to watch for that. I don't drink much at all, so it's not a problem usually.

leatha_g · October 11, 2004

I would think that since alcohol is an irritant and can cause gastritis and esophageal irritation, this could set the stage for erosion. While I enjoy having a margarita or two on occasion, I wouldn't encourage it on a regular basis. That's a good idea, Penni - about drinking Water to flush it through.