anyone drinking pop?

I know there is much debate between doctors on this issue. Some allow it as long as you can belch, some say no carbonation at all. My doctor is one of the no carbonation types. However, when I went to the support group meeting at least 1/2 the people there were drinking diet cokes and diet pepsis....and not all of them were caffeine free. I must confess that I did drink a can of pop (or soda or whatever you call it in your neck of the woods) and I duly noted it in my food logs. It didn't bother me at all. And since I'm constantly burping whatever I'm drinking anyway, that wasn't a problem for me. Just curious to see what others are doing. I figured I'd wait another 2 weeks, see how pissed the dietician gets, and if she's not too mad allow myself 1 caffeine free diet soda/ week. I had no idea how much I missed pop until I had my first sip. I can't even look at Crystal light anymore, and I'm all "milked" out. The only things I can stand to drink are water, green tea, and hot decaf black tea. I'm not even drinking my protein drinks anymore as I'm getting 70 gms protein minimum just from eating. I need some beverage variety. I don't like gatorade or propel. 1 diet pepsi a week isn't asking too much, is it???? Sheryl 292/255/1??

Hey there Sheryl, I just wanted to give you a friendly warning...if it pertains to you... I was SERIOUSLY addicted to diet pepsi and cigarettes and in my experience, once you start with one, soon it's two, then three, then back to my old habits. I know personally that I'm not even going to try diet pepsi again as I know I'll love it, miss it, want it, then drink it. My primary care doctor once told me that he had a patient that all she did was quit drinking diet pop and lost 60# in six months. There is some concern that artificial sweetners are appetite stimulants. A nutritionist told me that your brain tells your stomach that something sweet is coming and when the sugar isn't there, it sends out signals asking "where's the sugar?" and then you start craving it. Don't know if any formal studies have been done but I find there's some truth in it for me so I'm not "tempting the fates". Maybe you don't have this problem at all and if so, please don't take offense. I just would hate for you to have a struggle... Later, Nancy

here's where I get confused. Isn't Splenda a artificial sweetener? That is something I eat every day in tea, oatmeal, etc. It doesn't seem to make me crave sweets. Today was my sons 4th birthday and while everyone sat around and gorged themselves on cake, I had 4 oz of fresh fruit and wasn't bothered at all. They make a lot of diet soda's now with splenda instead of whatever they were using before. I drink flavored water with splenda almost every day. Except for the carbonation, I can't see a difference. I did used to smoke, but I quit cold turkey when I decided to have this surgery. I also quit diet pop cold turkey about a month before surgery. This was my first carbonated drink in 10 weeks. I'm not looking to replace water. I just want to have one once in awhile if I want a carbonated drink. It doesn't even have to be diet soda. Heck, one of my favorite preop drinks was club soda. That has no calories or artificial sweeteners. Just bubbles. Sheryl 292/254/1??

Hey Sheryl I have tried cf diet pepsi and diet dr pepper. I could not take more than a couple of sips. They were really sweet. I tried it one time. I dont do protein drinks either I am getting it all in my food. But I am like you I am so tired of water and milk. But I sip sip sip anyways. You have a good day and take care Mary

I will not drink pop or beer because it stretches out the pouch and there aint nothing in the world worth that to me. Its a personal choice.

I read that as long as you can belch if needed, that carbonated drinks don't stretch out your pouch. They just make some people uncomfortable because of the air bubbles. It was in 2 of the bariatric surgery books I read while researching the RNY operation. The reason my surgeon says no pop is because they are worried about people drinking caffeine, and worried that it might make people sick because of air bubbles. Sheryl 292/254/1??

It doesnt stretch out the pouch it causes gas. They say the gas pushes on the pouch but will not Stretch it out of proportion.

My doctor allows it at 4weeks but it has to be flat. So i open it and leave it in the fridg overnight its not the same. I tried to sip one that wasn't flat and it was so uncomfortable. I don't want to try that again.

I tried diet soda I diluted it with a lot of water I just anted the taste. beat me with the fat stick... I will not try it again becausse I am scared of going back to my old habits. Nikki B

I asked my nutrionist and doctor this very question yesterday. Now, of course, I have the lap band so rules might be different but I was basically told I could drink carbonated beverages as tolerated. I was told to start with flat/semi-flat soda and move on to the more carbonated beverages. I was also told to try and get rid of as much carbonation as I can before I start to drink. Then I was cautioned about the full-calorie drinks. It was suggested that I don't drink more than 4 ounces at a time just to be on the safe side (and to help keep track of cravings that won't be healty for me).