Diet Pop

[Joann24 2]

What is so bad about diet pop? I had my sleeve on May 12, 2014 & all I want is a diet pepsi. I've been struggling with a headache for a few days now (I'm prone to them) & haven't been able to take Excedrin Migraine yet. Caffeine has always helped in the past. Even the thought of trying to drink a cup of coffee makes my stomach burn. HELP!!!!!

[Kindle 8,667]

Even if you disregard the chemicals and artificial sweeteners, there is the carbonation thing. Do a search on here for "carbonated" or "carbonation" because there is currently a thread talking about this very thing. If it's the caffeine you need, you can drink tea or even take caffeine pils to see if that helps.

[Joann24 2]

Thanks! I was doing a search on diet pop & I couldn't find much.

[Kindle 8,667]

Besides, only us Midwesterners call it pop

[Teachamy 1,042]

As a diabetic since the age of 8, I lived on diet soda. Diet pepsi, in particular. About a year before surgery, I weaned myself from these carbonated chemicals and noticed a few things. #1--I wasn't craving salty, crunchy junk food as often. #2--My body didn't feel as bloated #3--My bloodsugar didn't spike after drinking it. (Diet didn't necessarily mean anything to my body, the caffeine and chemicals caused my body to react as it would with regular soda.) #4--I wasn't dehydrated anymore because I drank much more Water.

There are many theories that exist about what diet pop does to the body, none of which sound very good. How many of us ate far too much and washed it down with the diet versions of our favorite soft drink pre-op? Clearly, there's a link somewhere. That being said, you can try a sip of soda, if you must. I grabbed a can of seltzer from my husband one day because I had a "frog" in my throat, and I was surprised how weird it felt going down. Super filling and not satisfying. SO you may find your mind has changed about soda.

Best,

Amy

[DarbiMolly 188]

Besides, only us Midwesterners call it pop

Canadians also call it pop! LOL

[DarbiMolly 188]

As a diabetic since the age of 8, I lived on diet soda. Diet pepsi, in particular. About a year before surgery, I weaned myself from these carbonated chemicals and noticed a few things. #1--I wasn't craving salty, crunchy junk food as often. #2--My body didn't feel as bloated #3--My bloodsugar didn't spike after drinking it. (Diet didn't necessarily mean anything to my body, the caffeine and chemicals caused my body to react as it would with regular soda.) #4--I wasn't dehydrated anymore because I drank much more Water.

There are many theories that exist about what diet pop does to the body, none of which sound very good. How many of us ate far too much and washed it down with the diet versions of our favorite soft drink pre-op? Clearly, there's a link somewhere. That being said, you can try a sip of soda, if you must. I grabbed a can of seltzer from my husband one day because I had a "frog" in my throat, and I was surprised how weird it felt going down. Super filling and not satisfying. SO you may find your mind has changed about soda.

Best,

Amy

Ultimately, nothing processed is ideal for anyone. Natural is always better.

[momohime 121]

I feel your pain.. It's been a little over 4 weeks since my surgery and out of all the things I haven't been able to have throughout my first few stages of post-op diets, diet pepsi is what I've missed the most.

Carbonation increases pressure in the stomach and causes it to expand though, which is not something you want happening with your sleeve. The acidity/caffeine can also irritate the lining of the stomach and contribute to reflux. Caffeine is also a diuretic, so it's kinda counterproductive when it can be hard enough to get enough Water in daily. There are other reasons like chemicals, sweeteners, or whatever.. it can affect your blood sugar, lead to increased hunger/cravings, etc.

I know there are a lot of people who still consume caffeine and have no issues in limited amounts, but for me at least.. I kinda just want to baby my new little sleeve, even if that means I hafta hold off on my beloved diet pepsi. Maybe when I'm further out and my stomach is completely healed, I'll have one every once in a while. Or not. Sometimes I think I should put all the money I'd be spending on them every week in a jar and see how much I've saved in the next 6 months!

Anyway. Not to be more of a downer, but.. I'm not sure if your surgeon advised against NSAIDs or not, but Excedrin Migraine has aspirin in it which can also irritate your stomach lining & cause it to bleed. So, be careful with that as well. I had to stop taking mine, but Tylenol alone just doesn't do much for my Migraines. I'm probably going to have to ask my GP for a prescription of some sort.

[LindafromFlorida 1,542]

Southerners call everything coke. I am so thankful to have weaned me and my husband off the diet coke for almost a year, after reading the harmful effects for many years. My sister once said "Only fat people like us drink diet coke". LOL. I don't want to stretch my sleeve with carbonation, plus I am now loving Crystal Light Peach Tea (which I hated before).

[msfitn2014 248]

Omg i feel you on headaches!! I used to take BC powder and drink coke to help....my dr told me No more NSAIDS and No More carbonation...i have been NSAID free and carbonation free for 6 months....if i feel a headache comin along I just drink gatorade and liquid tylenol...thank God i have not had a Migraine but once and I drank the liquid hydocodeine tylenol they prescribed me!! Good luck its a struggle

[InfiniteButterfly 438]

I have a little coffee to help with my headaches/migraines. I stopped the regular coffee for a few weeks post-surgery (in fact, having my first cup today!) But I drank Chike coffee Protein, which is caffeinated. I did get it okayed by the doctor first though (my regular GP had told me to drink a bit of caffeine daily as a Migraine preventative...and I had weaned myself down to a single cup.)

[LivingFree! 478]

There's lots of differing opinions about pop--diet or regular for us WLSers. I personally chose to give it up for life, and am glad I did. It was a condition of my surgery so I followed it. If your surgeon has recommended you not drink it for now, I would follow those instructions. If you choose to not permanently remove pop from your new eating plan and lifestyle, when you are further down the road to your recovery and your stomach is fully healed, you may be able to drink it again occasionally without any ill effects.