Lap band patients are advised to limit alcoholic beverages.
The lap band is a silicone band placed around the stomach to help patients lose weight. The band limits how much patients can eat. Patients often wonder if they can drink alcohol after lap band surgery.
Caloric Intake
People undergo lap band surgery in order to lose weight. Alcoholic drinks are high in calories, though, and will not help someone lose weight. For this reason, many doctors and dietitians advise patients to limit alcohol or to avoid it altogether.
Interfering with Vitamins
Alcohol interferes with the absorption of fat, so it can also interfere with the absorption of fat soluble vitamins like A, E, and D. Lap band patients sometimes have difficulty getting enough vitamins due to their low food intake, so dietitians often advise them not to drink alcohol that will further limit their vitamin intake.
Drinking on an Empty Stomach
Doctors advise lap band patients not to drink with meals because drinking with meals will wash food out of the stomach faster; therefore, patients will not feel full as long as they would if they did not drink with meals. However, this means patients that drink alcohol must do so on an empty stomach, but they will be affected more strongly by the alcohol.
Carbonation
Doctors and dietitians often advise lap band patients to avoid carbonated beverages because the carbonation can cause painful gas. Carbonated beverages include beer and champagne.
Moderation
While there are many good reasons to avoid alcohol after lap band surgery, most doctors and dietitians say it is acceptable for patients to drink in moderation as long as they are responsible about doing so.
