Dr. Sonnanstine patients... ?

I have a question for you guys that are patients of Dr. Sonnastine. I have a friend that is a patient of his, and I've worried a lot about her because she's really fallen off the wagon. I don't mean a little. She's not even 1 year post-op and she drinks 3-4 sodas a day, and she eats whatever she wants... now it's come to the point that she is not losing weight. Matter of fact, she hasn't since she was 5 months out. But when I asked her about it, she says that Dr. S says it's okay to drink soda. I have trouble buying that. Is that true?

I am over a year post op and I am one of Dr. Sonnanstines patients. I didnt drink soft drinks till 6 months out... and I only drink diet. Theres no sugar... and it gives me horrible gas but I do drink it. I try to stay away from the caffiene..... I admit I dont get the water in that I should and theres no excuse for it.  As far as losing weight. I am well below my goal. I have fallen off track a few times and theres no excuse for that either... but I do things in moderation (with the exception of the diet mtn dew lol)  I like the way I look and feel way too much to allow myself to go back to my old nasty habits. I refuse to gain my weight back.  I guess this really doesnt answer your question... sorry for the rambling... I think diet soda is fine but thats just my opinion.

Okay, well I'm glad I asked. I'm a patient of Dr. Steiner, and he says no soft drinks AT ALL forever and ever... so I guess I just figured that was the norm! Good to know, though. That makes me feel better about my friend. Thanks!

I would like to address this if I may...I was personally trained as a patient advocate by Dr. Sonnanstine..though I totally believe in  him we do have our difference of opinion from time to time..though it's rare.  This subject being one of them.... In the beginning Dr. Sonnanstine would tell his patients "diet" soda or anything else is fine in moderation...his answer to the soda thing is strictly scientific.  He tells me there is absolutely no proof that soda damages or stretches the pouch....but I can tell you I go to meetings with him, I hear him speak often and I attend a class with his pre-ops, he never tells his patients it's ok to do anything....he tells his patients if you can't handle it, don't do it even in moderation...what they walk away hearing is another story.. As My friend Sarah states here..it only leads back to bad habits..at 4 yrs out now I have yet to touch carbonated drinks.....but my personal theory and this again only pertains to me...I have a really really bad addiction to certain things and soda was top on my list.  It was not unusual for me to pop open a 2 litre bottle of regular coke when I got home from work, have it finished by bed time.....and I wonder why I had kidney problems and diabetes......ugh. Once I had my surgery I was determined to fight the things that I had a problem with..I tell patients constantly, if you had a problem with it before surgery...watch out after....if it's something you can do ok with ..then perhaps moderation would be fine for you.. Remember your doctor is operating on your belly, not your head...that first year out is so important as to how you will live the rest of your life...change habits and change lifestyle and you will do just fine...if not then as your friend is finding out..it gets more and more difficult...the surgeons and professionals at the centers can only help so far..after that..you have to take responsibility for your eating habits and how well you do with the program... Dr. Sonnanstine can't come home with us to watch what we eat and drink..   he can only provide us the tool...I have also heard once you get to goal you can have a small piece of cake or a taste of sugar...again I know patients who can have that tiny bit...and walk away from the rest...for me it's a danger zone so it's rare I will even try....you can't imagine the junk food that has been thrown away after parties or during the holidays because I can't handle it in "moderation"... in short..if your friend is having problems with something such as diet soda...or any thing else hurting her weight loss...I truely wish she would call the office and make an appt with the doc...Taryn or the dietician.....she can always email me if she would like...we have all been there and know the struggle..post op support groups are also available and so important.. Brenda [email protected]

Thank you, Brenda, for your post. That was very insightful. I agree with you on so many levels. I will put 'a bug in her ear' so-to-speak about making an appointment, and I really hope she will get help, because she was on the right track. I don't go home with her every night, but we have class together during the day, and I see her drinking pop & eating M&Ms even.... and it's just discouraging to see her wasting this tool that was such a blessing. I'm not trying to be judgmental here, and I want to make that clear, because Lord knows I'm not perfect. I just want to be able to encourage her, and I wasn't sure what the rule was regarding soft drinks with Dr. S. Either way, what's important is that she can conciously make good decisions regarding her dieting habits. She has to live with her decisions. I just hope that she doesn't lose sight of the goal. She still has around 150 lbs to lose. Thanks, ladies, for taking the time to answer me here.

you are very welcome for my response ....I can promise you one thing..the doc didn't tell her M & M's are ok....ACK!!

 

she is self sabotaging...but the one thing you can do for her is to set that example..show her how you deal with busy days by pulling out the healthier choices...it's hard for me at work, there is constanly cookies, donuts, candy...I work on a surgical/oncology floor in the local hospital....you would not believe how nurses eat..lol but most of the junk comes from families who are showing their gratitude for taking care of family members, etc. ...so it's non stop.  I dread the holidays if it's this bad now!! being prepared is the key, I take a cooler with cheese sticks, meat roll ups...and you can ask Chris..and I will vouch for her..you never see either of us without a bottle of water..  I didn't  believed in protein bars because I felt they too would take me back to the old "bad habits"..but they have been a lifesaver fighting the junk food.  ( I only allow myself one per day) Well gotta go study and finish writing a paper..had a crazy couple of weeks and fell behind..now I am working like the dickens to catch up.. see ya all later Brenda