Pop

my surgeon said absolutely no soda post op, but I think they say that to avoid people getting hooked on them post op. Soda, especially caffeinated ones, take calcium from your body and that isn't good (from what I've heard). Also, they don't want you to get your fluids in from soda, mainly to get it from pure and wonderful water by itself. I think the occasional soda is fine and I love to drink a caffeine free coke here and there (like once a month or something).

I'm definitely not a Vetran of the VSG since I'm just at one year out, but I do drink diet pop (Pepsi Max is my favorite) ... I've been doing it since month 4 and haven't had any issues.  

Yes, it does fill me up.  (And, sometimes I use this advantage to stave off head hunger.)

Yes, my surgeon said no way, never again.  That there was concern that it could stretch the stomach - but there was no evidence showing it would happen.  I'm a year out and supposedly my stomach is mature and as big as it is going to get.  I have plenty of restriction when I eat protein first so I don't think I've stretched anything.

This is really the only "rule" I've broken & I know I'm testing the waters.  But right now, I'm ok with it.  If I see changes, I will definitely re-think my position.