Question:
Is it ok to drink soda after surgery? I am 12 weeks out now.
I seem to have NO problems with the carbonation whatsoever. I had heard it could stretch your pouch. Everything still feels the same. What do you think? — LatvianJ (posted on October 15, 2009)
October 15, 2009
I AM about the same out as you are.I had to drink a Pepsi this past Sunday
as couldnt find out where i was (a community fair) Ice Tea or Water. i
drank it slowly and let the ice melt as i went along. wont do that again
for awhile but had to get liquid in the body somehow.
— alaskaman
October 15, 2009
I wouldn't be drinking it. I am 10 months out from surgery and have not
had anything carbonated. First I was told it was very painful because it
stretches the pouch. I am not willing to take that chance after all I had
to go through to get my surgery and you shouldn't either. I can eat sugar
without dumping but I don't because that is part of what got me to where I
was before surgery. You have to think "Just because I can, does that
mean I should?" You are only 12 weeks out and should still be
worrying about following your docs directions to the T. Please get back on
track and don't make your surgery a waste. I don't mean to sound mean or
rude, but the surgery is a tool and not a sure thing. I have seen people
who have gained their weight back because of doing things like this. What
is a little soda here, a little pizza there, candy, etc and pretty soon
cant figure out why the surgery wasn't successful. If you are already
doing things you shouldn't at only 3 months, what will you be doing at a
year or 2 when you will really have to work at eating correctly and using
what you learned the first year after surgery?
Good luck. Again, not trying to be rude, but it wouldn't be worth it to me
to intentionally mess up.
— Dawn A.
October 15, 2009
"Lap band patients are to avoid carbonated liquids beacuse they may
put stress on the pouch or cause enlargement." My Nut informed me that
carbonated beverages are totally out for at least 12 months following the
lap band procedure.
— JSing
October 15, 2009
Hi...I am addressing this to Dawn Alter who wrote an answer to my soda
question. I did NOT mean sugar soda! I mean DIET pop! LOL...I have not had
one OUNCE of sugar since my surgery and I find it quite easy. I have a pop
or soda everyday. It does NOT hurt me! LOL...I have lost 76 lbs in 12
weeks...I think that is pretty good! I think you thought I meant
sugar...and by the way, NO sugar....you said you have tried it!
— LatvianJ
October 15, 2009
I wasn't talking about sugar - I am talking about the carbonation. What I
am saying is that if you are willing to do something so soon after
surgery,(carbonation) what else will you be willing to do. I am sorry if
you were offended by an honest answer, but that is what this is here for.
If you want a sugar coated answer, then this probably isn't the place to
ask as most of us are passionate about what we have gone through and don't
want to see anyone else fail. I am guessing that your surgeon has said
soda is ok since you said you drink it every day. You are risking
stretching the pouch and your question was "What do you think?"
I told you what I think. And yes, I have tried sugar and know I don't dump.
Again, like I said, I make the decision "Just because I can, should
I?" I am also 10 months out and not 3 months out. at 3 months I was
afraid to put anything in my mouth not on the list of what I could have.
Again, sorry if I offended you, but you asked and I told you what I
thought.
— Dawn A.
October 15, 2009
Hi, I was told by mu DR & NUT NO carbonated drinks at all. It does not
matter sugar free or not. Our tool is to help us for a lifetime. Not just
to drop weight now and gain back. I have a zero tol for sugar...this comes
from ANY thing with over 4grms of sugar. like milk. I like others that
posted will not take chances with puting ANYthing in my pouch my DR says
not to. That would be why we pay them to advise & treat us. I wish you
well.
— tootsie52
October 15, 2009
Ok...I asked this question to see what others are doing. I am sorry if you
think I am not passionate about what I am doing. I am VERY passionate about
what I have done with this surgery. I have lost a lot of weight for 12
weeks...being that I was not that heavy (230) to begin with. I was
offended by the fact that you do not even know me and say that I must not
be passionate about it if I could put soda in my mouth. I still stop eating
when I am full (which is quick) and I do NOT eat anything containing sugar.
I hear of people "trying" things with sugar...but you know what,
it is discipline that keeps you from having it. My doctor NEVER told me
that pop was ok...neither did the nutritionist. I drink a ton of
water...and I have a pop a day...no biggie.
— LatvianJ
October 15, 2009
Then you answered your own question. You have lost a lot of weight.
Perhaps you should call your surgeon and ask him/her their idea on soda and
carbonation and the effects it has on your pouch. That way you will have
the answer you need and not get upset with the answers you get on here. My
surgeon said no soda and I have not had any, or anything with carbonation.
Yours said no sugar and you havent had any.
— Dawn A.
October 15, 2009
Also, I just wanted you to realize that the other answers to your question
are telling you the same thing with no arguments from anyone. Just gave my
honest answer, which I assumed (never assume, I know)was what was wanted.
Therefore there is no reason for me to post anything else on this topic.
Good luck on your journey.
— Dawn A.
October 15, 2009
um... NO, i don't think drinking soda is a good idea at all!!! i took a
SIP of diet coke and i thought i was going to DIE the pain was so bad!!!!
i don't think it actually stretches your pouch but i regard soda as
poison-- i'd rather have drain cleaner!
— greenpunchbuggie
October 15, 2009
I drink soda almost everyday and I am still losing. Regular pepsi, can't
drink a whole one but I drink it.
— hansonae
October 15, 2009
No No No No!!! Even if nothing happens NOW - it can and probably will
stretch your pouch! Then you may find yourself coming back here in a few
years and asking how to get back on track because you are gaining weight...
You risked your life to make this work - Carbonated drinks are a BIG NO NO!
— zimra
October 15, 2009
Hello but i would try to stay away from sodas try crystal light!!!:)
— sweetntangy
October 15, 2009
I am post op RNY 10 months. I have taken a drink or two of soda and it did
not agree with me. It tastes different now and I didn't like the feeling
in my pouch. I can see where I could "learn" to tolerate it
again. But WHY would I want to. Number one, I know it is not recommended
by any health care professional. And number two, I didn't go to all the
trouble and expense just to turn around and do things that I know won't be
good for me. Giving up sodas is a part of what we must do to optimize our
results post surgery. The surgery is only part of what we must do to
change our lives. We also have to change our habits. To be successful we
really must make these permanent changes in our lives. So even though you
"can" tolerate it...I hope you won't. It's just one step in
sabotaging your own progress. Good luck and God bless!
— PaulaJ
October 15, 2009
You really should stay away from it. If you need fluids......water is your
best friend. All the soda will do is cause stomach distention and possible
pain not to mention nausea and vomiting. If you drink regular soda the
sugar might cause a sugar overload and nausea/vomiting might set in. With
all of the sugar free alternatives out there is this really necessary ???
— karensaporito
October 15, 2009
My Dr. says, no soda at all.
— FSUMom
October 15, 2009
Okay, my surgery date is Nov 4th, with my final pre-op appt on Monday. I
have been told no carbonated beverages...NONE. I have done two years of
research on this and everything I have read says NO CARBONATION post op.
No exceptions. I have not been told no sugar after...what I have been told
is I may or may not be able to tolerate sugar post-op, and will not know
which one it is until I try it and it makes me sick...no thanks! My
thoughts on this subject are this...we have all screwed up our bodies by
making bad choices...to the point where we are willing to put our lives at
risk to obtain an altered physical body in order to get healthy. It is
very disheartening to see how people are, so soon post op, willing to go
back to some of their old habits. Okay, you are losing rapidly..that is
wonderful! Why would you jeopardize that???? And to the respondent who
stated she is drinking SWEETENED SODA??? Are you kidding me??? Why???
For what purpose?? I had thought that me going through this would
motivate me and make me stronger...now I'm wondering if that is the case.
My goal is if the Dr said NO....why test it? To get back into old habits?
No thanks!
— Karen K.
October 15, 2009
My surgeon and nutritionist are of the NO carbonated beverages EVER camp,
so, I don't drink the carbonation. Once I was craving a diet
coke...summertime, hot. So I opened a coke, left it out for a couple of
days until it went flat,then put it in the fridge until it was cold. I had
my coke. Not quite like it used to be, but it did get me over the craving.
My nutritionist said that when you're out with friends and want a diet
coke, put a little rum it it...that kills the carbonation, too. I haven't
tried that yet, but maybe it will help someone else.
— jtoothman
October 15, 2009
I am an RNY patient and had surgery in Mar. 2009. My surgeon says that
drinking the soda (diet) will cause more pain then anything else. I have
learned that if I do want to occasionally drink some diet soda I pour it
into a glass with ice and let it sit for at least 10 minutes before
beginning to consume it. I never drink it directly from a bottle or can. I
also do this with zero calorie flavored water.
— rkurquhart
October 15, 2009
well I am not going to jump all over you on this subject. But I will say
this, my mother drank diet soda post op didn't have any problems. Now
although it was RECOMMENDED no sodas, the nut said if you MUST have one
water it down or as long as it's flat it would probably be ok. Yes I plan
to have a soda or two in about another 6 months but I wasn't that big of a
soda drinker anyways. Just have fun with your tool and trial and error if
you have to...that's the best teacher. Good Luck!
— Papoose79
October 16, 2009
absolutely not...no caffeine, no sugar and the carbonation will bloat you
and could make the pouch expand. Do with out it, It's healthier!
— gpcmist
October 16, 2009
Dawn, I like your style.
— browngathers
October 16, 2009
I am glad one person has mentioned it. Pop is ok if in ice and sits for
awhile. I have heard that too...so it must have some truthfulness to it.
Someone said no caffeine...um....yes, you CAN have caffeine! I need my cup
or 2 of coffee.....The only way I drink soda (diet of course) is in ice and
a glass.
— LatvianJ
October 16, 2009
I was told caffeine was a no, and pop was ok if it was diet and flat.
Personally, I don't like pop and I will drink decaf coffee, decaf tea,
water with CL packets, or just plain water. I pretend my cofee is
caffeinated....it doesn't work lol.
Good luck with everything.
— Nina15137
October 16, 2009
My surgeon just took part in a Bariatric Summit for the WLS supports groups
in the area. His hospital is a Center of Excellence, and I trust his
judgment. Also, he trains many other surgeons in various WLS techniques.
According to him (and the latest research), carbonated beverages do NOT
stretch the pouch. As long as the extra gas doesn't cause you pain, and as
long as you are drinking DIET pop, you should be OK. God Bless.
— KimM
October 17, 2009
I have been told that the carbonation irritates the stomach lining and
that's the main problem with drinking soda post op. Bottom Line: Some
people can drink it with no ill effects. I like everyone else has
"tested the waters" and have had no problems. I realize that its
a risk and that if anything happens it will be my fault. But.... I also
know that there are plenty of post op people out there that test the waters
every day and experience no ill effects. I'm not advocating anything, just
explaining the realities.
— Kathy M.
October 18, 2009
No NO no it not good for you I'm on my 1 year anniversary as of 30 sept 08
and have'nt even touched a soda they said it will mess up your pouch. I
drink diet tea, and the great value at walmart love it love it. Thank God
for them.
— kaybusk
October 19, 2009
My surgeon says no, so I don't indulge ever! I have many friends that have
had RNY and the only ones that have regained a significant amount of weight
are those who went back to drinking soda (they all drink diet so it is not
the sugar although that would be bad also). Drink it if you want, enjoy
it, but remember what things got you to the point that you had to have
major surgery to lose weight. You didn't get fat drinking water and
avoiding sugars and fats!
— brindledanes
October 21, 2009
— IAmAPhoenix
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