Honesty about drinking soft drinks please ?

[TNNurse Linda 0]

Has anyone been able to drink diet colas and still lose weight with their band ? I gave them up and was so miserable, that i couldnt take it anymore, I only like caffiene free Diet Dr Peppers, I dont want to mess up my band and can make the food changes if i can just have my drinks. So if anyone else is still drinking them and is still able to lose with the band, please share so i wont feel so discouraged with myself. THanks !! :cry

[jc2008 0]

This situation came up at my pre-op class. The nurse said that diet colas were ok further on with the banding, as long as they were DIET and they were flat (ie open them to get all the carbonation out, cuz biubbles can hurt).

[Lynn0216 0]

Hi, I dont think it has anything to do with keeping you from losing weight. I was told by my doctor that I was not to drink carbonated drinks for 6 months following surgery because it can bloat/stretch the pouch above the band and cause slippage (like if you keep stuffing your pouch with too much food that can also cause slippage). After 6 months I was told that I can have a carbonated drink on occasion but was warned it was to be a rare occasion. I would avoid the soda because to me it just not worth messing this up-it just not work losing the band or compromising my health.

[TulipStar 2]

Sorry, I can't say that I do. I drank about 6 cans of Diet Sprite for 20 years, every single day. I haven't had one since surgery.

However, my surgeon said that he doesn't mind if I have a soda every once in a while. As long as I have an empty stomach.

[mdrai 3]

I used to joke that my blood ran Dt. Pepsi!

Haven't had a soda since before banding... mid-May... don't miss it at all... I stick to Water & crystal light... you CAN do whatever you set your mind to!!

[Manatee 4]

I am/was a Dr Pepper fiend. I've had one since the band, and doubt I'll ever have another. It was truly painful, the carbonation gave me real troubles.

[WASaBubbleButt 41]

During surgery the surgeon takes a portion of the lower stomach, brings it up over the band and attaches it to the pouch.

This creates a pocket at the top of the lower stomach. When you drink soda the carbonation goes through the pouch, through the band, and to the lower stomach. The gas goes up to the pocket at the top of the lower stomach. This can stretch out and it is verrrry painful. Really, the only way to ease the pain is to stand on your head. I mean that literally. Is soda really worth that?

Remember, this is a lifestyle change. Not a quick fix, not a diet. A lifestyle change. Soda is not good for you and it's surely not good for your band. It causes bone loss as well. Believe me, I tried and it hurts a great deal with restriction. Your stoma acts as a one way valve with carbonation and air. What goes down does not come back up, it comes out. You'll be farting up a storm. Is that worth it??

So you are risking your band, causing pain, losing bone mass, and farting like a real class act. Is it worth it?

I understand the addiction, I'd go for weeks and weeks without ever drinking Water - just Diet Coke. I'd wake up in the middle of the night and realize I was out of soda so I'd get dressed and to to a 24 hour drive through for a mega diet coke.

It's time to realize that we can give up the crap, it's worth it in the end.

[Jachut 487]

I dont really drink them, I dont like them and never really have. I either drink Water or coffee during the day and if I go out, I drink wine. Or Water, depends on whether I'm driving. I might have a lemon lime and bitters which is mildly carbonated, but normally I stick with a nice sav blanc, planning on a few glasses of champagne over Christmas too of course.

So I'd have something carbonated VERY occasionally, it causes me absolutely no pain or gas.

But I still wouldnt drink diet soft drink regularly because I am phobic about it - all those chemicals and artificial sweeteners, ugh. I'd far rather overdo the caffeine and die of a good honest heart attack than a brain tumour thanks. Ok, being a bit melodramatic, but I did say I was phobic!

[joemcc 0]

All i can say is I have enough trapped gas... I don't need any more.

Joe

[Daisalana 33]

I was addicted to Mt. Dew.. 1 month pre-op I gave it up cold turkey. I figured if I could give up my beloved Mt. Dew, I was committed to doing this. And I've been Mt. Dew free ever since!

I do still have a Shirley Temple (grenadine & 7-up) when I go to the casinos (once every 2 months-ish). And I have a diet sierra mist once in a blue moon.. the good thing about diet sodas, is I think they taste like crap.. so a sip or two and I go back to my Water.< /p>

[Daisalana 33]

Oh, and I had champagne at my wedding.

But though I've heard it hurts some people, even with tight restriction the carbonation doesn't bother me. I had my diet sierra mist blue moon last night and took a sip to take some meds.. and I felt it fizzling and gurgling for 10 minutes.

[joemcc 0]

I actually found this thread looking for info on coffee. I need to give it up. I know for a fact it makes me hungry but I still drink it.

:S

JoeMcc

[socalgal3 4]

Giving up soda was one of the easiest changes for me to make after banding. I thought it would be hard, but I don't even think about it now. I drink Water, iced tea and Crystal Light. I've had maybe two beers since banding and drank them slowly, but I burped alot!! The gas does cause me pain, but I have seen several people post here about how they still drink soda and have no issue with it. It may depend on your level of restriction. I agree that it isn't necessarily a weight loss issue(unless you are drinking regular soda-which is liquid sugar!), it is a gas issue and a health issue.

[juliegeraci 7]

I drink an occassional Fresca. When you have good restriction the carbonation can bug your stomach, at least for me it does.