Diet Coke soda

I am three weeks from my surgery date and feel like this will change my life and health so incredibly.  Here's the thing... I drink diet coke like someone might have coffee in the morning and can't imagine not being able to do that.  While I realize that it's a small price to pay for excellent health and looking better, I'm wondering if I'll ever be able to drink a diet coke again?  Can someone post-surgery let me know?

Hello,

I had the lap-band surgery about 2 weeks ago. I haven't had any trouble with it or any complications. The other day I did try a diet coke. That was the worst experience of my life! I literally felt like I couldn't breathe. The soda has so much gas that it backs up on you. I got very sick after that and had chest pains the entire night. It felt like I had swallowed a knife! So the answer to your question is NO. I believe it is a small price to pay for good health though.I am an avid coke person myself. Even though it was hard to give it up, I would never want to experience what I did before. Anyways, hope I didn't scare you...but at least you know now. Good luck!

I had surgery 7 weeks ago, I wasn't a diet coke drinker but I was a pepsi drinker.  I drank over 3 1liter bottles a day and I was scared also about not having soda again after surgery.  Let me tell you it's easier then you think it will be.  I have not wanted a soda and when I pour my husband a cup it doesnt even bother me at all.  It's called determination to enjoy my new life and my new journey and I know soda wasnt going to get me where I wanted and needed to be.  At this point I can't even get in much of anything except my protein shakes.  Good Luck and you'll do fine.  Crystal Light Rasberry drinks are excellent.

Initially, you can let your soda go flat.  Eventually, you may be able to tolerate soda.  As to watering it down, try adding ice and stirring it to release carbonation.  A mentor I had years ago pointed out that we do have 2 openings from our stomachs, i.e., if we build up gas, we will probably just burp.

this was really helpful...thanks for asking. I am a pepsi lover tooo and being 5 wks out I was wondering how soon i would be able to enjoy at least half a one.

4 yrs post op- I drink diet coke. At first, I did shake out all the gas because the gas was unbearable. Now I can drink it fine- but I do get headaches from the caffine

Hi there. I think  that it really depends on your nutritionist and what you can tolerate yourself. My surgeon does allow soda in the daily diet BUT it has to be diet and it has to be de-carbonated. I havent tried it and really have no desire right now but I was a serious Pepsi-aholic prior to surgery 5 days ago and am wondering how that will go later on as this new lifestyle progresses.

I can drink diet carbonated beverages now (bypass was Jul 08)  but has anyone mentioned the leeching of calcium from the phosphorus in the diet as well as regular soda?  With our absorption issues we're probably going to be better off limiting those fizzy drinks.  Best of everything to you!

I was a HUGE pepsi drinker.. would drink pepsi instead of anything.. water/milk.. NOPE just pepsi.. I could and did go through 5-6 32oz bottles of pepsi prior to my surgery on sept 14- 09.  I can honestly tell you that I have had absolutely NO pepsi..not a one since 9-11-09.  I, like you thought there was NO way I was ever going to give it up completely it was my life, it's what kept me going, moving, working, living.... but I have NOT regretted that decision once.  And it's really not difficult to give up, I just make a conscious choice to have water or tea or milk even.  I keep a 12oz bottle of pepsi in my fridge, just in case.  But it's funny because I know it's there, I know that I can have it if I want it.. I don't want it and it's been in there since prior to 9-11.  
I also have heard and read some of the things that other's have said about how it makes them feel and I really am not interested in feeling that crappy for one moment of a past pleasure.  I am still trying to work thru all the time's I feel crappy over something else that I ate that didnt agree with me or had too much of something in it that my body didnt tolerate.  It's just not worth it, but a decision you will have to work out.. but in any case... good luck, don't stress about it and worst case, try it and see how you feel.  Good luck!