Addicted to Carbonated Beverages....

[TXSassyGal 0]

I think that giving up my Sonic diet cokes is the hardest part of the pre-op diet. I've moved to diet sprite so that I can break the caffeine addiction, but I still crave some type of bubbly and can't imagine not drinking another soft drink for the rest of my life. What is the skinny on carbonated drinks? How do I move past this hurdle? Thanks!

[mousek 4]

Hello, carbonated beverages are not allowed in the post op recovery stage as they can cause damage. Pick another fat free drink that is not carbonated to get you over the hurdle.

[BetsyB 9]

I was a die-hard addict, too. Like you, I first weaned off the caffeinated carbonated drinks, and then reluctantly gave up soda altogether. (I did have one or two diet ginger ales during my preop diet, though.)

Once banded, it has been remarkably easy not to drink soda. Carbonation just plain hurts. (I found this out inadvertently, with a Sonic diet cherry limeade; I had no idea it was carbonated until I had one postoperatively---before surgery, I'd never noticed the bubbles. YOWCH! A couple of sips cleared up that misconception.)

Your new stomach just won't be able to tolerate the gassy bubbles. It's funny how quickly one can become un-addicted when there is a real disincentive!

[Kalipso2 25]

i admit... i didn't give up diet soda pre-surgery but i did post-surgery. i figured i'd go thru the caffeine withdrawl while i was in pain after the surgery.

i had to go 6 months post-surgery without carbonation and it was TOUGH! i counted down the days 'til i was able to drink my diet pepsi again.

thankfully i have a surgeon who allows carbonation... some don't!

[catalyst4thecreator 0]

I was banded on 3/11/2010, I have had 2 fills since then, & currently have 5cc's in my Realize Band, I have found that I can drink Carbonated drinks, but not threw a straw & not when I am full. I do burp a little, but it doesn't hurt. I don't know if I don't know if this will change once I get more fills, but for now I enjoy an occasional Sonic Diet Coke w/Vanilla.* :smile2:

[cynpatt 2]

I was TOTALLY addicted - Diet Coke for Breakfast - then at least 6-8 cans a day! I didn't have a pre-op diet, so I had one the night before my surgery and that was it. I went through too much to have this band, and don't want to damage it. I now pack 4-5 bottles to bring with me to work and carry a baggie wath all kinds of crystal light. I have a case of Water in my trunk too. It was much easier to break than I though. they say that a food addiction takes 21 days to change - you will make it through and do great!

GOOD LUCK!!!!!!!

[JennBand08 0]

Sometimes people look at me funny when I tell them my last Pepsi was August 15th, 2008. Yeah.. I remember the date.. it was the day before I started my preop diet. It was hell. I know some doctors allow carbonation, but for me, once I broke that addiction, I just don't want to go back. For one thing, I didn't drink DIET soda because of all the chemicals and Aspartame gave me migraines.. so.. I just don't need to go back to a life of wasted calories and wicked addictions. On a hot day though.. sometimes I do miss it and do think about just a little sip.. but I'd rather NOT KNOW if my band can tolerate it. Its just too dangerous for me...

About 8 months after I was banded I did start drinking coffee though.. 1/2 cup of Decaf or occasionally a frozen coffee blend from a restaurant. I don't think I'm addicted to the caffeine though.. however I do like them a bit more than I should ( Mocha Frappe.. OMG.. luv them!).

Good luck.. life without carbonation is still way better than life with plus sized clothing and feeling tired all the time.

[JoJo1 0]

I was a diet coke addict also and I also did not have a pre-op diet. I drank the diet coke in the resturant the day before the surgery and then to my surprise, I did not want it any more after surgery. I am 8 mo out now, and I do drink one once in a while, usually only in the car when I am traveling. It keeps me awake. Like another poster said though, I can not drink it through a straw. That does hurt. I drink the fountain style diet coke that is poured over ice. Some of the carbonation comes out when you do that. There is one more incentive to give it up that no one else here stated. People who drink pop, diet or regular, weigh significantly more than non pop drinkers. I am not sure why but I suspect that the sweetness of the diet soda whets our appetite for other sweets. I drink Diet Green Tea by Lipton now and I can't seem to find any other thing that I like better. I don't drink it much but if I am sick of Water, I indulge in one of those. Each of us has to figure out what works, but education is the key!!! Hugs!!!!

[Froggie D 1]

The best thing I found was to only allow myself a Diet Coke after I finished drinking 16 ounces of Water. It did not taste nearly as good when I was not thirsty and I cold not get as many in. I gave up caffeine first, then went to Diet Rite to avoid the Aspartame (makes my joints ache) and finally none. I do not crave it and do not really miss it. I am like the poster above - I was very addicted (six to eight cans per day) and I do not want to know if my band can tolerate it. I don't need it. I need my band to work for me AND IT IS! Hurray!

You will be surprised how quickly you forget about it.

[LapNYC 3]

I too loved my Diet Coke. I felt that it was the ONLY thing that satiated me when I was thirsty. It's been hard, but I haven't taken a sip. No real advice other than that life is hard and you can't always have what you want! It's is indeed a bummer though. I feel your pain!

[123crod 170]

I think that giving up my Sonic diet cokes is the hardest part of the pre-op diet. I've moved to diet sprite so that I can break the caffeine addiction, but I still crave some type of bubbly and can't imagine not drinking another soft drink for the rest of my life. What is the skinny on carbonated drinks? How do I move past this hurdle? Thanks!

If I can do it anyone can!!! No cokes of any kind for 9½ months. You will get use to it!!

Cheri

[john47 0]

I now limit myself to 1 diet coke a day and have not had any problems since getting banded in Sept 09. Same with the beer, I used to drink it everynight but now limit myself to 5-6 bottles of Buds once a week when out for a meal with the DW or game of pool with the guys from work.

I know this will horrify a lot of banders who have been warned by thier doctors to avoid it. However, the team that carries out my surgery allows it, and told me that so long as I don't consume any more and limit the beer to once a week I will be fine. They are more worried about the calories in the beer than the gas and bubbles .

I am not trying to get anyone to go against the advice of their doctors which I believe they should always follow, but I think that for me, missing out on these treats for the rest of my life would have been one sacrifice too far.

[IAmJacksLapBand 5]

I has been incredibly easy for me. I was downing 4 20 oz bottles a day. Then the surgery came and went. I now drink McD's unsweet tea and use a little sugar substitute.

When I get the craving for a soda I just think about the damage I could do and I move past it. I do have a Lo-Carb Monster Energy occasionally as a treat. I sip it VERY VERY VERY slowly. It takes me all day to finish it. I tried to gulp it the first time and had the loudest most painful burp in my life.

[Julie597 0]

I actually got on today to ask about beer. I assume it is the same as soda?? Some can tolerate it and some can't? This sounds like I have a problem - lol I really don't but I enjoy a beer or two after a softball game. Have any of you Post banders been able to have a beer?

[JoJo1 0]

I also drink beer, and wine once a week. Lol not both, I do have one or the other. I do not have trouble with the bubbles, but I do pour it into a glass which releases a lot of the bubbles. I never use a straw because it bothers me. It is impossible to drink from a straw and not swollow air so I guess that is what the problem is. Of course I don't drink Beer from a straw anyway, but sometimes I drink a diet coke and wish I could use a straw. Nope, I just have to drink it from a cup.... Hugs!!!!