No soda, ever?

One of the things that my nutritionist was adament about was not having soda after surgery, and she made it sound like a "never again" kind of thing and gave the impression that you'd pop like a birthday balloon if you even THOUGHT about drinking it. But I was just reading about Al Roker and how he "snacks" on diet orange cream soda for his sweet fix. What's the deal - soda yay or nay?

Hi Bette, I'd follow your nutritionist's advice -- so for you, it may be no soda! My surgeon and nutritionist tell us no soda for 3 months, then you can have it. However, I believe you had a different surgery than I did - so it would be best to stick to your doctor's advice. Kathy Bilodeau Lap RNY 12/3/03 -50 lbs.

First of all, why would you go through all you have to ignore your expert? Your nutritionist is following a plan that works; don't you want it to? Second, if everyone walked in front of a speeding car, would you? All of us do things which are wrong. That dosn't meant that it is the path to follow. Third, gas can/will stretch the pouch or stoma opening. Pouches do reach a maturity, but when the stoma is stretched open your pouch releases the food too fast and you get..... hungry! Are bubbles that important? If it is flavor you are going for, release the carbonation before drinking it. Leave a can or bottle on the counter for a couple of days and then, when there is no fizz, drink it. Another thing to think about is most sodas are sweetened with Aspertaine. That does strange things to your metabolism. Avoid if possible. Peter

Now, now, calm down there, Peter. I never SAID I was planning on having ANY soda, regular or diet. I'm just trying to figure out why there seems to be so much disparity between what WLS patients are told, and wondering whether the "rules" were the same for bypass and banding patients, etc. While I understand that everyone's experience is different, I've heard so many different things from different people that nothing seems to be written in stone. Additionally, I have been talking to a friend who is considering having WLS, but has a real "cola jones" and doesn't know how she'll get along without it. Even my own SURGEON has questioned some of what the nutritionist HE recommends has said. For example, the nutritionist said that in the full liquids stage, you could have Campbell's Healthy Request Cream of Chicken soup - that's the only one, and it had to be Campbell's. Well, I questioned that, since Campbell's was 2.89 a can, and the Stop and Shop version of the exact same thing (98% fat-free, just like Campbell's) was a dollar less. I was told by my surgeon that it didn't absolutely HAVE to be Campbell's and didn't even HAVE to be cream of chicken; they just didn't want people thinking they could have, for example, thick and chunky clam chowder or Bennigan's Baked Potato soup.

Bette and Crew, I've never been a big soda drinker, but now and then I'll get in the mood where I want some bubbles. I'm going to confess (PLEASE do not tell Dr Aranow) but I was bad I HAD A DIXIE CUP OF DIET SODA!!! And you wanna know something? It tasted like crap. It made my tummy feel funky and I havent had any since...nor have I wanted to! I think we all have to break a rule now and then, even if it's just to remind ourselves how much things have changed. So no more bubbles for me, whether it be soda, champagne or the like. I'll take extra bubbles in my tub! Back to work for me!

hey everyone, this is gonna be good...i love the soda mt dew and its gonna be hard for me to give it up when i reach the stage of having the surgery,,but with all this wonderful advice i see everyone giving to one another i think i will be able to handle not having it..good luck to all and i will keep popping on to see whats up...

Hey Bette. Sorry to be so late with a response for you. I'm getting caught up on what's been going on while I was away on a biz. trip. Anyway- you'll find that all opinions are a bit different. But, the resounding agreement is that it's really no-soda at least for a few months. Then, it's a free for all on opinions. Anyway- I found that i don't like the way the bubbles make me feel bloated now. I generally still like the taste, but if I have a craving, I just stir the heck out of it to make it flat. For some, it's a sacrifice. But, what a small price to pay to be healthy and lighter. Right?