Diet Soda & Catching up

Hi Everyone, I've been "lurking" on the website and reading everyone's posts. Welcome to all the new comers who are starting their journey to the losing side. I do have a question, when can I drink Diet Soda? Can I stretch my pouch out with the carbination? Is 6 months out good? I really miss my Diet Dr. Pepper & Diet Pepsi. (I wasn't a big soda drinker prior to surgery..just have a craving for it occasionally.) Well I'm 4 1/2 months post-op & down 85 POUNDS! I feel terrific! I went from a size 26/28 & I'm now a size 16! (One pair of pants is a 14!) My shirts run an XL! I went to Kohl's yesterday...& I was "officially" out of the PLUS SIZES! I still can't believe it! I am so amazed, humbled, and blessed to be given a new lease on life! My "mini" goal was 80 pnds before October..& I'm well ahead! I road a bike for the 1st time in about 14 years...I'm having a BLAST! I look soooo different. I ran into someone earlier in the week & they didn't recognize me...LOL! I did have a little scare a week ago. My sternum was dislocated/fractured during surgery & is healing with a large amount of scar tissue. It formed a very large/noticable "bump" between my breasts..of course you all can imagine what I was thinking. I'm thankful & thank God that all it was was scar tissue. Not much can be done with it, but I'll take it, compared to what I thought it could have been. I hope you all are doing well, I'm so thankful to have this forum to celebrate, share, and discuss issues that pop up on the journey to a healthier life style. Mickey

Hi Michelle, Don't know the answer to your question but wanted to say congratulations on your great weight loss. Keep up the good work. I do know about having a broken sternum....mine wasn't healed with surgery..just left to heal on its own and I have a little hump on my chest that wasn't there before....broken sternum isn't fun..is it? lol Colleen

Michelle - Thanks for popping in and de-lurking! Sorry to hear of your sternum troubles - I hope all goes well with your healing! How much fun is it when people don't recognize you!?? I love it! I just play along like we've never met until they get that OMG look on their faces and I crack up!!! ENJOY those moments!!! Now, put soda out of your mind. We should not drink carbonated beverages anymore. Sad but true. Some here may be doing it, but it's not a great idea. Stick with water - you need lots of that and carbonated drinks 'can' tend to cause some stretching in your pouch. I know the cravings come now and again...but when they come drink some water or protein shake instead...you'll be happier that you did in the long run! Best of luck!!! Hugs, Carla

Hi Carla, Thanks for the heads up on the carbonation...SIGH...one of my favorite drinks was soda water with cranberry juice & a twist of lime...it was very refreshing...I think I'll go into "mourning" for a brief period LOL... I have a semi-formal event to go to this Friday evening. Quite a few people I know will be there that haven't seen me since before my surgery. I splurged and bought a beautiful cottail dress at David's Bridal for the event...I'm very excited to see everyone and I'm sure they'll be very surprised to see a new "me".. Take Care, Mickey

Hey Mickey, I was thinking about ya the other day and wondering how you have been doing! Glad to hear that you are doing great. I am down 75 pounds at 4 1/2 months out and I am feeling great! It is still so crazy to me everyday that I actually did it and I have lost so much so quickly! I drink soda (diet) on occassion. Sometimes I crave the carbonation and I indulge. I won't have much, maybe a cup full and only once in awhile. That keeps my craving down for awhile. So, hope that helps, but keep in mind that all foods treat all pouches differently. What works for me might not work for you and vice versa! Keep up the great work! Phyllis

Hey Phyllis! I know what you mean by crazy! I still can't believe what I see in the mirror...overall I'm doing really well with the exception of the occasional throwing up.. I still cannot tolerate beef or pork. BLECKY! Well I think I'll call Dr. Barba's office tomorrow & ask about the Soda as I'm hearing different opinions on it. My biggest concern is stretching the pouch out and I don't want to make any mistakes with my new tummy. 75 pounds is amazing! I'm going to Florida at the end of next month to Disney...& it's going to be so different than the other times I've been...I'll fit in the airplane seats...ride all the rides...and probably tucker out my 10 year old son and my hubby due to all the energy I have LOL I CAN"T WAIT! Take Care, Mickey

>> Soda as I'm hearing different opinions on it. Hi Mickey, nice to see you back on the boards! I do drink some diet coke, but I've eliminated caffeine entirely, so only non-caffeinated coffee and soda for me. As for stretching the pouch, the evidence is all anecdotal, I've not found any formal study to support the theory that soda enlarges the pouch. I can still only eat very small portions, and love my occasional diet coke. I will say that prior to surgery, I would drink a 6-pack a day. Now, I'm lucky to get one down in an entire day. I sip slowly, perhaps that's how I avoid any problems (if indeed there really are problems). I still can't do pork, but can do some beef. Only the best cuts, and a little potato helps it go down. I know the feeling about not being recognized, some of my own relatives didn't recognize me at a party a few weeks ago, they asked who I was and said I looked familiar. Its in those moments that I know I made the right decision. I feel so much better. I'm now down 182 lbs. I've gone from 54 pants to 34, 2XL and 3XL shirts to Medium, a few smalls! I lost a whole shoe size, and went from 6E to regular width. I'm convinced that surgery was the right choice for me. Congrats on your weight loss, keep up the good work!! --Steve