Carbonation?

[WLB 1]

Has anyone tried carbonated drinks? If so, when after your surgery and how did it go? I used to drink diet sodas and sparkling waters before surgery. I’m almost 4 months out and down 50 pounds. I don’t want to slip but since both are zero calorie beverages I think it’d be fine if I could drink them comfortably and still get my Water in.

[SummerTimeGirl 582]

4 months out for me too in a few days and the only time I have tried carbonated soda was one time like two months ago when I tried a drink that was suggested here (I was looking for an alcoholic drink that would be "ok-ish" during a family reunion). The drink consisted of Red Wine mixed with diet orange soda (like 60/40). It was so little it didn't do or feel like anything. To be honest, other than that I have not had soda, at least since surgery but maybe even longer than that (I honestly can't remember). I'm just so used to getting Water when out and also just drinking it when home that I just don't miss/crave/or want soda or similar drinks anymore.

I know I've read that others here have had it since surgery and do fine. Some even drinking it regularly now but they can tell you more on that I'm sure.

[catwoman7 11,215]

some surgeons tell you to avoid carbonation for life. Others say it's OK once you're a few months out as long as your stomach can handle it. So...no consensus.

My surgeon was one of the former, but I tried it when I was about a year out, and still drink it occasionally. Highly carbonated things like diet soda irritate my stomach, but I can tolerate some beverages if they have *a little* carbonation - or if I let the more carbonated things sit uncapped for awhile so the carbonation level goes way down.

[Maisey 260]

I'm 9 months post RNY. I have diet soda or sparkling Water occasionally when there is no other no-sugar, non-carbonated option available other than water. They do not bother me.

[Officially Not Fatty Matty 462]

Carbonation and straws are two (of many) things you’ll hear both sides about here. Generic answer: follow your surgeon/doctor. I drink a LOT of zero calorie carbonated drinks, have since about week four and haven’t had a single issue. The stomach stretching thing doesn’t make sense to me because the liquid and gas are both fluids and as anyone here will tell you fluids pretty much just pass through your empty stomach unobstructed (and I never feel any more or less “full” from carbonated drinks as I do from non-carbonated).. I’d say be extra careful if you’ve eaten in the past hour though.. but I down several cans of stuff a day and after 15 months my capacity is still the same as it was at week 15: one egg fills me up two makes me feel like I gorged myself.
Don’t even get me started on the no straws thing…

[laurenantics 76]

I asked my surgeon to explain to me in a way that would make me understand .. as to WHY I couldn't have sparkling Water. Not diet soda or regular soda, just plain water in my soda stream.

He smiled sheepishly and told me he didn't have an explanation. So now about once a week I'll have some sparkling water and I sip it slowly and love it. I personally can handle it.

[Creekimp13 5,840]

I drink diet soda. One can a day. No big issues. I admitted it at my last yearly visit and my doctor said...you're maintaining well and your labs are great...without actually saying it was ok. I kinda cornered my doc on the fallacy of carbonation "stretching your stomach" and he admitted it didn't, but said that they try to strongly discourage people from taking up carbonated beverages again because so many of the people who suffer a lot of regain go back to full calorie soda and beer with diet soda being a bit of a "gateway drug".

Also, diet soda isn't particularly healthy or helpful. It's a habit with little benefit that carries the potential for problems for those who will eventually return to full calorie beverages. So...I get it.

Still....damned if I don't enjoy that one can of diet soda a day. My current favorite. Diet Mango Pepsi. Yep, I'm guilty.

Edited September 14, 2021 by Creekimp13

[WLB 1]

I've never drank anything but diet soda! I can't stand the taste of regular so I'm safe from the "gateway drug" 😂 The stretching of the stomach by bubbles never made sense to me. I can see how maybe they'd fill up your stomach quicker- but stretching it? They'd have to be some pretty strong bubbles!

I'll have to try diet mango Pepsi that sounds delightful. I think I came out of the womb drinking Diet Coke, but before surgery I discovered dr. pepper cream soda zero and that was outstanding.

[Arabesque 7,332]

Apparently there is no definitive research for or against carbonation. Except carbonation can irritate reflux (gerd), give you excess wind, many contain excessive amounts of sugar & caffeine & those with artificial sweeteners continue to feed your cravings for sweet. But it is best to follow your surgeon’s recommendation at least until you’re several months out & then see how you go.

I’ve never been good with carbonation. I can’t burp so together with my reflux I’d get the worst hiccups (very painful & even vomit). So I always had to moderate how much I had when I had carbonated drinks (gave up soft drinks years ago so only gin & tonics & champagne).

Like @catwoman7, I let them go flat or at least let them sit so the bubbles reduce now. I have a glass of sparkling Water every day but it sits out for hours as I slowly sip it (alternate sips with still water). I still have no other carbonation but a gin & tonic or a glass of champagne but only once a month now.

[ms.sss 15,664]

I had my first carbonated drink at around the 1-2 month mark (sparkling water). Made me burp like a crazy person. But i love it (and had no adverse effects other then the embarrassing/annoying burping, so just kept drinking it, in small amounts at first)

I’ll be 3 years out in October and I probably drink 5-6 litres of sparkling Water a week (I have a water carbonator at home)

P.S. I still burp. Not the ridiculous amount as before, but still a alot.

[Soon2bFit21 109]

If it causes you pain, don’t do it. Carbonated drinks will Not cause your stomach to stretch out or any old wives’ tales that are perpetuated in the weight loss surgery industry. I’m down 85lbs at 5 months and drink 1, very rarely 2 cans of caffeine free diet soda a day. Make sure you’re still getting in the majority of your fluids from better sources and not having sides such as acid reflux and you’ll be fine.

Also wanted to note that diet soda can be a trigger for some when it comes to binging. If this is the case, also stay away.