Question:
Is it ok to drink soda after surgery? I am 12 weeks out now.

I seem to have NO problems with the carbonation whatsoever. I had heard it could stretch your pouch. Everything still feels the same. What do you think?    — LatvianJ (posted on October 15, 2009)


October 15, 2009
I AM about the same out as you are.I had to drink a Pepsi this past Sunday as couldnt find out where i was (a community fair) Ice Tea or Water. i drank it slowly and let the ice melt as i went along. wont do that again for awhile but had to get liquid in the body somehow.
   — alaskaman

October 15, 2009
I wouldn't be drinking it. I am 10 months out from surgery and have not had anything carbonated. First I was told it was very painful because it stretches the pouch. I am not willing to take that chance after all I had to go through to get my surgery and you shouldn't either. I can eat sugar without dumping but I don't because that is part of what got me to where I was before surgery. You have to think "Just because I can, does that mean I should?" You are only 12 weeks out and should still be worrying about following your docs directions to the T. Please get back on track and don't make your surgery a waste. I don't mean to sound mean or rude, but the surgery is a tool and not a sure thing. I have seen people who have gained their weight back because of doing things like this. What is a little soda here, a little pizza there, candy, etc and pretty soon cant figure out why the surgery wasn't successful. If you are already doing things you shouldn't at only 3 months, what will you be doing at a year or 2 when you will really have to work at eating correctly and using what you learned the first year after surgery? Good luck. Again, not trying to be rude, but it wouldn't be worth it to me to intentionally mess up.
   — Dawn A.

October 15, 2009
"Lap band patients are to avoid carbonated liquids beacuse they may put stress on the pouch or cause enlargement." My Nut informed me that carbonated beverages are totally out for at least 12 months following the lap band procedure.
   — JSing

October 15, 2009
Hi...I am addressing this to Dawn Alter who wrote an answer to my soda question. I did NOT mean sugar soda! I mean DIET pop! LOL...I have not had one OUNCE of sugar since my surgery and I find it quite easy. I have a pop or soda everyday. It does NOT hurt me! LOL...I have lost 76 lbs in 12 weeks...I think that is pretty good! I think you thought I meant sugar...and by the way, NO sugar....you said you have tried it!
   — LatvianJ

October 15, 2009
I wasn't talking about sugar - I am talking about the carbonation. What I am saying is that if you are willing to do something so soon after surgery,(carbonation) what else will you be willing to do. I am sorry if you were offended by an honest answer, but that is what this is here for. If you want a sugar coated answer, then this probably isn't the place to ask as most of us are passionate about what we have gone through and don't want to see anyone else fail. I am guessing that your surgeon has said soda is ok since you said you drink it every day. You are risking stretching the pouch and your question was "What do you think?" I told you what I think. And yes, I have tried sugar and know I don't dump. Again, like I said, I make the decision "Just because I can, should I?" I am also 10 months out and not 3 months out. at 3 months I was afraid to put anything in my mouth not on the list of what I could have. Again, sorry if I offended you, but you asked and I told you what I thought.
   — Dawn A.

October 15, 2009
Hi, I was told by mu DR & NUT NO carbonated drinks at all. It does not matter sugar free or not. Our tool is to help us for a lifetime. Not just to drop weight now and gain back. I have a zero tol for sugar...this comes from ANY thing with over 4grms of sugar. like milk. I like others that posted will not take chances with puting ANYthing in my pouch my DR says not to. That would be why we pay them to advise & treat us. I wish you well.
   — tootsie52

October 15, 2009
Ok...I asked this question to see what others are doing. I am sorry if you think I am not passionate about what I am doing. I am VERY passionate about what I have done with this surgery. I have lost a lot of weight for 12 weeks...being that I was not that heavy (230) to begin with. I was offended by the fact that you do not even know me and say that I must not be passionate about it if I could put soda in my mouth. I still stop eating when I am full (which is quick) and I do NOT eat anything containing sugar. I hear of people "trying" things with sugar...but you know what, it is discipline that keeps you from having it. My doctor NEVER told me that pop was ok...neither did the nutritionist. I drink a ton of water...and I have a pop a day...no biggie.
   — LatvianJ

October 15, 2009
Then you answered your own question. You have lost a lot of weight. Perhaps you should call your surgeon and ask him/her their idea on soda and carbonation and the effects it has on your pouch. That way you will have the answer you need and not get upset with the answers you get on here. My surgeon said no soda and I have not had any, or anything with carbonation. Yours said no sugar and you havent had any.
   — Dawn A.

October 15, 2009
Also, I just wanted you to realize that the other answers to your question are telling you the same thing with no arguments from anyone. Just gave my honest answer, which I assumed (never assume, I know)was what was wanted. Therefore there is no reason for me to post anything else on this topic. Good luck on your journey.
   — Dawn A.

October 15, 2009
um... NO, i don't think drinking soda is a good idea at all!!! i took a SIP of diet coke and i thought i was going to DIE the pain was so bad!!!! i don't think it actually stretches your pouch but i regard soda as poison-- i'd rather have drain cleaner!
   — greenpunchbuggie

October 15, 2009
I drink soda almost everyday and I am still losing. Regular pepsi, can't drink a whole one but I drink it.
   — hansonae

October 15, 2009
No No No No!!! Even if nothing happens NOW - it can and probably will stretch your pouch! Then you may find yourself coming back here in a few years and asking how to get back on track because you are gaining weight... You risked your life to make this work - Carbonated drinks are a BIG NO NO!
   — zimra

October 15, 2009
Hello but i would try to stay away from sodas try crystal light!!!:)
   — sweetntangy

October 15, 2009
I am post op RNY 10 months. I have taken a drink or two of soda and it did not agree with me. It tastes different now and I didn't like the feeling in my pouch. I can see where I could "learn" to tolerate it again. But WHY would I want to. Number one, I know it is not recommended by any health care professional. And number two, I didn't go to all the trouble and expense just to turn around and do things that I know won't be good for me. Giving up sodas is a part of what we must do to optimize our results post surgery. The surgery is only part of what we must do to change our lives. We also have to change our habits. To be successful we really must make these permanent changes in our lives. So even though you "can" tolerate it...I hope you won't. It's just one step in sabotaging your own progress. Good luck and God bless!
   — PaulaJ

October 15, 2009
You really should stay away from it. If you need fluids......water is your best friend. All the soda will do is cause stomach distention and possible pain not to mention nausea and vomiting. If you drink regular soda the sugar might cause a sugar overload and nausea/vomiting might set in. With all of the sugar free alternatives out there is this really necessary ???
   — karensaporito

October 15, 2009
My Dr. says, no soda at all.
   — FSUMom

October 15, 2009
Okay, my surgery date is Nov 4th, with my final pre-op appt on Monday. I have been told no carbonated beverages...NONE. I have done two years of research on this and everything I have read says NO CARBONATION post op. No exceptions. I have not been told no sugar after...what I have been told is I may or may not be able to tolerate sugar post-op, and will not know which one it is until I try it and it makes me sick...no thanks! My thoughts on this subject are this...we have all screwed up our bodies by making bad choices...to the point where we are willing to put our lives at risk to obtain an altered physical body in order to get healthy. It is very disheartening to see how people are, so soon post op, willing to go back to some of their old habits. Okay, you are losing rapidly..that is wonderful! Why would you jeopardize that???? And to the respondent who stated she is drinking SWEETENED SODA??? Are you kidding me??? Why??? For what purpose?? I had thought that me going through this would motivate me and make me stronger...now I'm wondering if that is the case. My goal is if the Dr said NO....why test it? To get back into old habits? No thanks!
   — Karen K.

October 15, 2009
My surgeon and nutritionist are of the NO carbonated beverages EVER camp, so, I don't drink the carbonation. Once I was craving a diet coke...summertime, hot. So I opened a coke, left it out for a couple of days until it went flat,then put it in the fridge until it was cold. I had my coke. Not quite like it used to be, but it did get me over the craving. My nutritionist said that when you're out with friends and want a diet coke, put a little rum it it...that kills the carbonation, too. I haven't tried that yet, but maybe it will help someone else.
   — jtoothman

October 15, 2009
I am an RNY patient and had surgery in Mar. 2009. My surgeon says that drinking the soda (diet) will cause more pain then anything else. I have learned that if I do want to occasionally drink some diet soda I pour it into a glass with ice and let it sit for at least 10 minutes before beginning to consume it. I never drink it directly from a bottle or can. I also do this with zero calorie flavored water.
   — rkurquhart

October 15, 2009
well I am not going to jump all over you on this subject. But I will say this, my mother drank diet soda post op didn't have any problems. Now although it was RECOMMENDED no sodas, the nut said if you MUST have one water it down or as long as it's flat it would probably be ok. Yes I plan to have a soda or two in about another 6 months but I wasn't that big of a soda drinker anyways. Just have fun with your tool and trial and error if you have to...that's the best teacher. Good Luck!
   — Papoose79

October 16, 2009
absolutely not...no caffeine, no sugar and the carbonation will bloat you and could make the pouch expand. Do with out it, It's healthier!
   — gpcmist

October 16, 2009
Dawn, I like your style.
   — browngathers

October 16, 2009
I am glad one person has mentioned it. Pop is ok if in ice and sits for awhile. I have heard that too...so it must have some truthfulness to it. Someone said no caffeine...um....yes, you CAN have caffeine! I need my cup or 2 of coffee.....The only way I drink soda (diet of course) is in ice and a glass.
   — LatvianJ

October 16, 2009
I was told caffeine was a no, and pop was ok if it was diet and flat. Personally, I don't like pop and I will drink decaf coffee, decaf tea, water with CL packets, or just plain water. I pretend my cofee is caffeinated....it doesn't work lol. Good luck with everything.
   — Nina15137

October 16, 2009
My surgeon just took part in a Bariatric Summit for the WLS supports groups in the area. His hospital is a Center of Excellence, and I trust his judgment. Also, he trains many other surgeons in various WLS techniques. According to him (and the latest research), carbonated beverages do NOT stretch the pouch. As long as the extra gas doesn't cause you pain, and as long as you are drinking DIET pop, you should be OK. God Bless.
   — KimM

October 17, 2009
I have been told that the carbonation irritates the stomach lining and that's the main problem with drinking soda post op. Bottom Line: Some people can drink it with no ill effects. I like everyone else has "tested the waters" and have had no problems. I realize that its a risk and that if anything happens it will be my fault. But.... I also know that there are plenty of post op people out there that test the waters every day and experience no ill effects. I'm not advocating anything, just explaining the realities.
   — Kathy M.

October 18, 2009
No NO no it not good for you I'm on my 1 year anniversary as of 30 sept 08 and have'nt even touched a soda they said it will mess up your pouch. I drink diet tea, and the great value at walmart love it love it. Thank God for them.
   — kaybusk

October 19, 2009
My surgeon says no, so I don't indulge ever! I have many friends that have had RNY and the only ones that have regained a significant amount of weight are those who went back to drinking soda (they all drink diet so it is not the sugar although that would be bad also). Drink it if you want, enjoy it, but remember what things got you to the point that you had to have major surgery to lose weight. You didn't get fat drinking water and avoiding sugars and fats!
   — brindledanes

October 21, 2009

   — IAmAPhoenix




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