pop

I just read that you are not allowed to have soda after this surgery, can anyone pls tell me why?

Hi Ed, I remember when I was a child, soda was a special treat to be ordered on nights out. Today, the average peson drinks two cans of soda a day. Now, you didn't mention which surgery you had (or are going to have), so I'll have to address it from the restrictive and malabsorptive point of view. The gastric bypass diet is low in sweet and sugary foods (like soda pop) for three reasons. First, these foods are high in calories and fat. Even in small amounts, they could make weight loss difficult. Second, eating or drinking too quickly, especially high-sugar foods such as soda, can cause dumping syndrome -- when foods and liquids enter your small intestine rapidly and in larger amounts than normal, causing nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness and sweating. Finally, most sweet and sugary drinks and foods don't provide many vitamins or minerals for the calories they take up. And since calories are so limited on the gastric bypass diet, it is important that every food contribute its fair share of nutrients. Artifically flavored drinks are fine, but it is recommended that you avoid carbonated beverages, even diet soda. The carbonation in soda may contribute to enlargement of the small pouch. But some doctors will allow flat sodas - check with your doc. Phosphorus, found in most cola drinks, accelerates calcium and bone loss. Also, high calorie drinks like milkshakes, soda, fruit juices/fruit drinks, beer, alcohol, meal substitutes, etc., can sabotage your weight loss efforts by adding calories without making you feel full. As always, check with your doctor and/or nut for their input. HTH, Kristen

i drink diet coke on a daily basis

Really? How are your calcium labs? I never liked Diet Coke. Coca-Cola is what I missed the most! Kristen

they have been fine...... that coke zero taste kinda like reg coke.... taste so much like reg coke i dont like it LOL

Which surgery. I drink diet soda all of the time I had the DS. Red

Well from what I understand the carbonation isn't good for the new little tummy. I'll tell you from my experience, that after my surgery the diet pepsi didn't even taste the same anyway. I didn't try a little sip until months afterward, which means I hadn't had any in a very long time, but it just wasn't even good! After you get used to drinking so much pure water, a sip of diet soda just tastes like what it is - chemicals - YUK! I have friends who do drink it though, a little on occasion, I just don't miss it anymore and love my water!

I am really dying to have a diet coke. My dietician's directions said flat diet soda was ok, but every time I tried to take a sip of what I thought was a flat soda, I could still taste fizz! I'll tell you, I left a can of diet coke open for 4 days, and I swear it still had fizz! I can just imagine what that would do to my system being almost 4 weeks post op from gastric bypass. I was also an avid coffee drinker - two huge cups a day. And now, I haven't had any for over a month, and by some miracle, don't want it! But I am really bored with decaf tea, crystal ligh****er, and fruit juices. Any suggestions?

The craving for soda will probably fade away, it seems to for most. After a while anyway. I hope it does for you! I wasn't a coffee fan before surgery but for some reason, now I love coffee flavored protein drinks!!! Most especially I LOVE the AchievOne drinks. They actually have some coffee in them, they are pre made drinks in 9 oz glass bottles and have 20gm of protein. Not the best protein choice early out, but luckily I didn't discover them until later anyway. Problem is they are a little pricey and sometimes hard to get! Bariatriceating.com is where I usually order them, but I heard they are all out again! I'm savoring my last case now just in case it has to last me a while. My back up is a protein powder from Elite called cafe mocha. That is really, really good too! I get that by the tub at that same website (she's a local lady by the way in Pompano Beach), and she sells protein samples, so you can try it first if you want. Anyway, hang tough, I found the changes in drinking habits were harder than food changes! Now I love water and hardly ever even drink crystal light or anything else, just the protein drinks and water. Check with your nutritionist and/or doctor about coffee though, most people are allowed to have it in moderation after a while. My friend drinks coffee every day now, just switched from sugar to splenda that's all. Good luck to you! It'll get better.