Soda

Hi everyone. I would like to know if anyone has tried any soda (diet or regular). And if so what was your pouches reaction to it? I have not tried it especially since I am so afraid of any pain that would result from drinking it. But let me be honest I do miss it. Most likely I will wait a few more months before I try it. My doctor told me that after 12 weeks that I can drink it but I don't want to yet. I am just curious to know if any of you have tried it. Let's keep this board moving.

I gave up soda over a year ago in anticipation of the surgery. My surgeon believes in NO soda. Since I really don't miss it now, not a problem for me. Just remember tho if you do drink it, be sure it is caffeine free. Mary

I tried it just this week. I poured a bit out of a can, thinking I would let the fizz settle. I took a sip or two and totally forgot about it, and ended up throwing it down the drain. It doesn't taste the same, and I was never a big soda drinker, as I'm so sensitive to caffine. I also took one sip from the can, and boy did I ever feel bloated and had to burp like crazy. I think I can do without it. I'm glad I wasn't addicted to them, but bread is another story. Debbie -52

If I do try to drink it I will fill my cup up with ice then pour the soda and let it sit for awhile. But I am afraid to try alot of things. I haven't even eaten a sugar free cookie or cake or any "junk" sweet food. I have eaten a SF Klondike. I will let you know though if I do try the soda. I guess today I am really craving a diet 7up I just can't stop talking about it. But thanks for your replies. I am going to drink some more water.

I have tried soda, and while it doesn't make me sick to my stomach, it does make me feel a little funny. I try not to drink it, but will take a sip or two if there is nothing else. I was never a soda junkie, but like many things, if you tell me I can't have it, then I want it even more. I can totally relate to the bread thing - now THAT was something I truely missed. The good thing is that now I can tolerate it a little better, but I still stick to only one slice of wheat toast with peanut butter in the morning, or a 1/2 turkey sandwich on wheat. Barb 274/219/-55

Annette - My surgeon said none for 2-6 weeks; so after 6 weeks, I tried it. I still don't drink a lot of it (I have, however, gotten back into coffee, which could potentially be worse for me ). But I drink Diet, Caffeine Free Pepsi almost exclusively. I'll drink Diet Pepsi if I can't get the Caff-Free, but don't like it as much. I usually try to let it go a little flat or stir it with a fork to break up a lot of the carbonation, and sip it instead of gulping like I used to. I also take a mouthful, swi**** a little, open my mouth to release the pressure from the carbonation break-up, then swallow. There are a lot of things out there that say 'no carbonated beverages', and the theory is that it stretches your pouch, but I guess my thought on it would be that that wouldn't necessarily be valid if you burp any excess gas back up... My thought is that, tasting sweet, it may be more of a 'gateway drug' (lol) that would lead you back into "other" bad habits, or perhaps that if you didn't drink diet soda before, it would fall into the "empty calories" rule that my surgeon has ("NO EMPTY CALORIES!!!" -- ie regular soda). Anyways, that's my experience with it; I seem to be doing okay, down 74 lbs so far - and actually got my A1C back from the dr - it's down to 5.5 at 3 mos post op (grin), and that's without ANY diabetes meds at all... Of course, it's also the honeymoon, so I might be able to get away with soda now (even diet) and not later. ...Nick

I have talked with some WLS folks who have successfully had soda after letting it sit for a while to get most of the carbonation out. My surgeon says no soda so I think I am sticking to that. I was a real soda junkie pre-op but surprisingly I do not really miss it. Now if I had to give up hot tea I might get a little nuts I just need to switch to decaf I think. Liz