Question:
Is there documented proof that carbonated drinks can stretch out your stomach?
Hi everyone! I am one year post op and have lost 110 pounds. My question is in regards to carbonated drinks. Where is it documented that carbonated drinks will stretch out your stomach? I asked my surgeon about it at my one year post up check up last month, and he said that I could drink and/or eat ANYTHING I wanted. Granted, I was unable to drink carbonated drinks up until 2 weeks ago. The pain of the carbonation was too much to handle. But I have found that if I let it sit for awhile and lose some of the carbonation before I drink it that I am able to do so now. I asked my surgeon about the carbonation stretching out the pouch (as I had heard this one other time before) and he said that he had never seen any documented proof that this took place, and that a lot of his patients had asked him this question before. He stated that he did not recommend eating foods that were extremely high in sugar or fat because they can cause dumping. He also said that a very small piece of cake or any other SMALL portion of something that might be high in sugar and/or fat would be ok, but I would really have to watch how much and how often I ate it. Or, as we all know, the weight will eventually start coming back. Personally, the thought of cake, pie, brownies, cheesecake, etc. still make me sick to my stomach. But lately a small glass of Dr. Pepper sure tastes good. If any one knows of a place that I can look to find documented proof of the carbonated drink issue, please let me know. Oh, one other thing, my surgeon also said a glass of beer or wine would be just fine, but to stay away from the hard stuff. Thank you for your help. Linda Forrester [email protected] — Linda F. (posted on September 7, 2000)
September 7, 2000
Well I havent had surgery yet, but I asked my surgeon that question also.
He said that no way does it stretch out your stomach because all that
happens is a good old fashioned burb to release the gas. But he was pretty
adamant about avoiding it simply because it has no nutritional value. So
I'm enjoying my soda while I still can. :-)
— Eva C.
September 7, 2000
I am 4 months post-op. I asked my surgeon about it and he said diet drinks
were ok in moderation (maybe one a day), but to still concentrate on water
or its equivalent. Lots of people here disagree with that. I'd like to
see documented proof myself. Best wishes!
— [Deactivated Member]
September 7, 2000
Hey, glad you asked this question in the form you did. I'd like written
documentation too.
My doc didn't want me to drink it either. I'm about 8 months
post and I drink 2-3 diet drinks a week. I usually pour over
ice and sip. I've lost 90 pounds and am 10 pounds from goal.
Regarding alcohol, I've probably had 3 mixed drinks since
Jan.Diet Mt. Dew and shot of Crown Royal. No problem. Yummy.
Waiting to hear anwer too. Lou Ann
— Lou Ann J.
September 7, 2000
We're forbidden it for 30 days, during the clear liquid, very gentle stage.
I drink it slowly, burping often. I prefer fountain drinks over canned
now. I think they have a bit more flavor, less carbonation. The cans tend
to make me "feel" it all the way down, gurgling all afternoon!
However, all that comes from fountains is NOT diet Dr Pepper! And anythign
with caffeine cancels an equal amount of water, so in essence, for every oz
of diet pop we drink, we need to drink TWO oz of water to "undo the
damage". As to pouch stretching? Lots of talk, no eveidence that I've
seen in 6 yrs. As to other things, well, not so much talk, lots of
evidence, so I limit myself also.
— vitalady
September 7, 2000
I was told I could NEVER have carbonated drinks again. I use to drink 5 or
6 diet Mt. Dews a day before surgery. I don't even miss them now so why
start drinking them again? Wonder why there is so much different opinion
about this between doctors?
— [Anonymous]
September 7, 2000
I am post-op over a year and down 163lbs. When I rec'd. my
patients packet and read through it it seemed as if it was
— [Anonymous]
September 7, 2000
I am post-op over a year and down 163lbs. When I rec'd. my
patients packet and read through it it seemed as if it was
loaded with some great info and other stuff that didn't make
a lot of sense.
The more I lived the program and diet recommendations the more
weight came off. My point is that this surgery is the last, best
hope for someone obese. If you do not change the way you have done
things in the past the surgery won't help. Pop is a perfect example
of things needed to stay away from. Perhaps it will or won't
stretch your stomach--it's not that important. This was a chance to
be healthy and happy. To enjoy life. I will not do anything
to jeopordize that. Amen to the doctor that said "it has no
nutritional value."
This is reason enought to stay away from it.
My own surgeon has been studying what works and what doesn't
with RNY over many years in conjunction with a local university.
Their findings show a common denominator with the patients that
did/do drink soda had higher weight gain five years post-op
and beyond. Coincidence?
— [Anonymous]
September 7, 2000
This is something I have had many discussions about with others. I have
seen many doctors say No Carbonated beverages and for numerous reasons,
from pouch stretching to no nutritional value. An some doctors say no
problem..eat whatever you can tolerate. But to put my own personal two
cents in I say... Why? Doing this surgery is a last ditch effort to loose
weight and become healthier,to live longer to see my children grow and
granchildren. Soda pop has no nutritional value, and we all know our
pouches are so small and food we eat pass by so much quicker then before,
we need to be watchful about putting the foods with the highest nutritional
value into our bodies. I believe this, unlike the obesity,is something we
can control, I view this surgery as not an opportunity to become like my
sister whom can eat anything anytime and not gain an ounce, but as a tool,
to give me an edge in becoming healthy and relearning good eating habits.
And for this I pay the price of NOT being "normal" but having a
change in my body which needs to be respected and nurtured so I will enjoy
being thin, and healthy. So short story very long :0) Except for very
RARE occasions, I do not pertake. I will not jepordize all I am going
through. Like i said, my 2 cents!
— [Anonymous]
September 8, 2000
To those who think carbonation is the culprit in any stomach stretching
that occurs, the 64! friggin ounces of water you're suppose to drink every
day, whether it's carbonated or not, is gonna stretch what's left of your
stomach. Water goes through your ostomosis (opening) quickly anyway, unlike
undigested food, that will stretch your stomach. Stretched pouches means
more food capacity means more weight? That dismisses the effect your
activity level and your metabolism plays. Some mornings I have a regular
bowl of -real- frosted flakes, or even 3 fried eggs after I polish off some
Diet Pepsi first.
BUT I work out in a gym for 1-2 hours 5-6 times a week;
swimming/cardio/weight machines. I also hike 3 miles twice a week. My tummy
tuck is next spring and want to tone up. Oh yea, I've lost around 160
pounds in 10 months and I'm within 15 pounds of my ideal weight even with
the apron, even with the half dozen cans of pop a day. I eat more because I
burn up more, more efficiently too. You've got to get rid of that old fat
way of relating to food.
— blank first name B.
Click Here to Return