I miss my favorite root beer and occasionally get a sip, but just do it and see vs. fear it. I honestly don't miss it on a daily basis (just when I think about how great it was, ahhhhh). Same can be said about my old friend - entire chocolate cake, entire pizza, entire half gallon of ice cream and those wondrous days I ate all that as a snack. But then I think what life was like during those wondrous days. I couldn't walk to the bathroom at work so requested a formal placement next to the restroom (don't you think HR had some odd employment conversations with that one as that request required Corporate Officer approval), DVT/PE emergency room visit, Falling 4 or 5 times a year due to balance issues and not being able to catch my weight if it shifted forward, other medical ailments like HBP, diabetes...... I could go on and on, but living the 8XL life wasn't worth those wonderous feelings. Decide now, what you are willing to give up and find other things to replace them.

P.S. I've heard from chemists in my bariatric support group that even "flat" coke has enough CO2 to impact our systems. So if you are going through all this, I have to ask why sabotage yourself.

I do crystal light and propel powder. I also like motive liquid things.

I had my sleeve converted to RNY about a month ago due to GERD. I had never dealt with any acid trouble before surgery.

Weight regain shouldn't be a consideration when making your decision. Regain generally happens when folks make poor food choices and get lax on following the post-op rules, and you can do that with either surgery.

I had six 20 ounce bottles a day. Sometimes more. I remember mornings when I had two 20 ounce bottles for breakfast. I do not drink coffee or tea.

I gave up the diet coke about six months before surgery. I did not want caffeine withdrawal right after surgery. I stayed off it for three years, then had a bottle one day.

I was back up to six bottles a day after about a week. It is an addiction.

I did that for years, then quit cold turkey. Now I can have a bottle a few times a week and usually dont fini**** I throw it away when it goes flat. Carbonation does not bother me at all. The funny thing is that now I only want Coke Zero and it is probably the exact same thing as Diet Coke, but the Coke Zero looks darker and richer tasting to me.

One lesson that I will stress is that there is absolutely nothing that you can never eat or drink again. It is just a matter of making choices and doing what works best for you. I prefer the way I feel when I do not use caffeine and have natural energy. I am more likely to drink the Coke Zero when I did not get enough rest and trying to overdo things.

Wow, you've been through it... I wish you the best with everything and hopefully you're cleared for surgery soon and it's a success. I'm waiting in line for the same thing, I hope to see more of you on the site and forum... Good Luck!!!??