4 year check up today

Well where do I start.  I was told by my mom who has also has WLS, the nurse and Dr. Buchwald that I have to eliminate caffeine and pop from my diet.  Because it is causing multiple problems.  1st my tooth enamel is wearing thin and I have sensative teeth. 2nd I have almost constant heartburn even though I take protonix twice a day 3rd I am having abdominal pain 4th I can eat more than a cup at most meals.  All of theses things concerned Dr. Buchwald enough that he said the diet dew has to go bye bye.  I know it won't be easy to go off of the caffeine as I am a college student with long study hours late at night.  I am worried that I won't be able to do it successfully.  As I have tried in the past and failed.  I was able to get off of pop completley before surgery and now I wish I never would have started up again.  I need some encouragement if possible to help me get through this tough time

Thanks Julie Linngren
Pre-op 393
Today 218

Would coffee work for you?  I know it's still caffeine but at least it's not pop. That's a tough one when you need to stay up.

I was a true soda addict before surgery.  I drank Diet Wild Cherry Pepsi morning, noon and night.  I always had to have it stocked in my fridge and would drink a minimum of 3 cans a day but usually between 4-6 cans a day.  I drank it up until the eve I started the pre-op liquid diet.  My "NUT" said I could have soda every once in a while post op, but I just knew as much of a soda addict I was, I either had to give it up, or just give up on having the surgery because me and soda in moderation or once in a while is just not realistic!  I will be 3 years soda/pop free this May.  It was hands down the hardest thing to give up for this surgery and I craved it for a few months after - but now, I don't crave it anymore and don't miss it a bit.  My liquids consist of water and coffee with an occassional glass of juice.  That's it.  It was hard to give up, but I will take 116 pounds lost and the size 4 I wear now any day!  It feels SO much better than that soda ever tasted!

Trust me, if I can give up soda - anyone can!  You can do this!  Good luck!

Michelle