1 Year Appointment. Question About Coffee and Soda

So I had my year appointment today and I asked why we shouldn't drink coffee or anything with carbonation. The answer I got was that we shouldnt because they're both corrosive. I went home thinking about this answer and started thinking, "Doesn't liquid leave our pouch almost right away? So would it really hurt me if I drink coffee or say, a diet 7-up?"

I'm wondering about this because lately I have had problems drinking things, and for some reason I've been able to get my liquids in with coffee in the morning and 7-up (diet) the rest of the day. I'm tired of crystal light, tea, mio, Gatorade, and even just plain water (yuck!). So when I asked and she said not to drink it, I was bummed out. What can I drink now?

BTW: I don't drink the coffee with my iron. I know it'll prevent me from absorbing it. Also, I pour the soda in a bottle where it loses most of the carbonation, but not all, so it's not completely flat.

I drink both, I have had no issues with it. I think they are more worried about calories from it and carbonation.

I drink Diet A&W root beer and my surgeon's office does not have a problem with it. I do leave the cap off so it does go a little flat. I've also had Diet 7Up and Diet Orange Crush. I do stay away from caffeine.

I buy smooth, low acid coffee beans and grind them and then french press my coffee (never drink coffee that has sat in the pot for awhile). Sometimes I now use decaf beans to be safer. I'm told caffeine and acidity are both the key problems with coffee. If one is prone to ulcers, both can cause aggravation. Carbonation can help push food through the pouch quicker and stretch it. My thinking is this, don't overdo either. Make the coffee with the least acidic coffee you can find, don't make it too strong and mix milk with it to help sooth the pouch AND drink it slowly (reli**** tenderly as I say) to enjoy. No more than one cup per day is my motto. The caffeine in coffee can dehydrate you so I recommend before and after your coffee, you drink something to hydrate. You can use juice and water it down well. Even if you only get 1/2 cup before and after your coffee, that will help. Anyway, that is what I recommend. 

Carbonated diet drinks should be flattened as much as you can stand it. I pour my mini diet coke can over an entire glass of ice cubes and stir it a little. I only have about two mini cans since my surgery. I guess I'll probably limit myself to only have one a month in the future. Oh, BTW, I found a reference online about a surgeon whose patient quit losing weight after RNY and he discovered she was drinking carbonated beverages regularly (not flattened) and stretched her pouch to 20 ounces. She wanted a revision upon learning of the stretching but he won't do it until she stops all carbonated pop but she never returned.

I was told by my NUT that 2 cups of coffee a day was fine.  I did quit caffeine for about a year because it made me jittery but I started again last year and haven't had a problem  I have to admit I drink more then 2 cups on some days.  How much more I won't say 

I gave up carbonated drinks a while ago because I can't really stand diet and of course regular soda is not a good idea.  Anyway, a few times since my surgery I was offered diet Sprite after a procedure or surgery and I didn't have any problems.  Actually tasted better then I remembered but I didn't feel the need to go out and get more.  I don't remember being told to avoid carbonation.

My NUT said that caffeine was dehydrating.  I LOVE my coffee w/protein powder and milk in the morning with some sort of yummy SF syrup and/or cinnamon sprinkled on top.  It's my favorite thing in the day.  So, in talking with my NUT, she said that as long as I'm getting in plenty of fluids, one cup a day is okay.  I use just a level teaspoon of instant coffee...I know, it's not real coffee :), but no one else drinks coffee in the house, so no sense in making a pot.  I drink like mad, so there's no chance of dehydration.  I was dehydrated early on and have learned that lesson! 
The one thing that kept me from having RNY years ago, was the carbonated drinks.  I was so addicted to Diet Coke and refused to think about giving it up.  After I decided that I was going to either die while drinking Diet Coke or live without it...I decided to give it up.  It's not been as bad as I thought it would be. Best decision I ever made!

You are correct... the liquid spends very little time in the pouch, so unless you already have issues with ulcers, coffee and soda are not "corrosive".  Diet soda is nothing more than a bunch of chemicals, so is not as healthy as water, but will not hurt you to drink in moderation.  Yes, I have a diet soda more days than not, and have for about 4 of my 5+ years since surgery.

Lora

I don't drink soda because I don't like it. But I do drink coffee, usually two cups in the morning. Liquid funnels through pretty quickly, so I don't buy the reasoning that it is corrosive. It doesn't sit there, bubbling and smoking, in our stomachs. That is just me, though.

I do drink hot no caffeine herbal tea, such as those made by Celestial Seasonings. It's an easy no calorie way for me to get my liquid, and since I'm cold most of the time, I like a warm drink. And the warm herbal tea doesn't upset my stomach as Crystal Light does.

Thanks got all of your replies. Yeah, I looked up info and I didn't find anything that suggest it'll corrode my pouch. Also, I know it doesn't strech the pouch like someone above mentioned, because its a liquid, it passes right through.