Question:
I am addicted to soft drinks (cokes). I use 'addicted' loosly.
I don't like water and know I am going to have to drink lot's of it once I am post-op. Did anyone else have a transition problem with this or is it just me? What did others do in getting around this problem. — ray T. (posted on February 27, 2003)
February 27, 2003
I drank a TON of coke pre-op. I didn't stop caffeine before I went to the
hospital and lemme tell ya, I had one hell of a headache about 3 days
post-op. Thank GOD for the pain meds! Now I don't really want caffeine. I
drink diet Sierra Mist, or Fresca. I try to drink as much water as
possible, but I just want bubbles sometimes. :) I also drink a lot of Pink
Lemonade Crystal Light. I know people say the artificial sweetners kick in
sugar cravings, but for now, I'm doing ok. Just don't think surgery means
having to forever deprive yourself of the things you like. Granted, you
can't drink regular cokes, but you can have a diet once in awhile. Ya
know?? Take care!!
— Diana L.
February 27, 2003
Ray, I too, was a caffiene "addict", and you shouldn't
necessarily use that word lightly in this context. I had a 8 - 10 can a
day habit, that I knew I would have to give up before this surgery. I had
done it in the past, cold turkey, and it IS a withdrawal process. This
time I started by substituting water for a couple of cokes a day, and then
gradually repalcing more of the cokes with water til now. I have had just
7 cokes since Dec. 18, and those were just because they sounded good, not
because I 'needed' them like before. Start now and take it gently, but do
it, cuz those headaches are real killers!!! Sue
— Sue C.
February 27, 2003
I was addicted to Pepsi Ones before surgery (and I mean addicted!!) I've
drank sodas my whole life, but since my surgery (01/28/03) I haven't had
the least desire for one. (I did sneak a taste of a diet Dr. Pepper and
found it horribly salty.) Your tastes really are going to change
afterwards. Between that and the carbonation issue, I bet you'll find your
addiction to Coca-Cola fades away quickly!
— [Deactivated Member]
February 27, 2003
I was addicted pre-op. I used to drink 6 20oz bottles per day! I gave up
coke/diet coke cold turkey at 12 midnight the night before my surgery. I
had none for the first 3 mos than my nutrionist said, SURE HAVAE ONE, YOU
WOULDN"T LIKE IT! And you know what? She was right, it was NASTY!
— heathercross
February 27, 2003
I was just like you, addicted to Coca-cola! I would drink 1-3 cans a day,
everyday. I loved it. But my surgeon, nutritionist, and RN firmly said
"no carbonation." One went even far to say, the only carbonation
you can have is drinking a glass of champagne on your wedding day! LOL That
is one of the rules I have firmly followed. I've probably taken maybe 4
sips of soda since my 9months post-op and one sip can make me burp for 5
minutes! and it's too bubbly for me. I had no problem not drinking it! As
for water- I always loved it, so I can't help much there. But it is very
impt. as you know, so try adding a slice of lemon to jazz it up, or
drinking crystal light. Low cal and no sugar. I found it too sweet
sometimes, so I would do 1/2 crystal 1/2 water. Goodluck to you!
— Lezlie Y.
February 27, 2003
i was a huge pepsi aholic. i was soooo afraid to not be able to drink it.
it's been 10 months since i've had one and i haven't missed it at all. some
people drink diet pop after surgery, i just have chosen not to start...it's
not as hard as you think it will be, believe me...
— candymom64
February 27, 2003
Hi, I'm pre-op but already working on kicking my soda habit (along with
cappucino and gatorade)....and I never liked water either...but, I started
out drinking Fruit 2 O- it's a little expensive but the orange tastes a bit
like gatorade, and the berry relaxing, citrus burst, and blueberry
tangerine are all really good! (0 calories, 0 anything really-you can buy
at Tops, K-Mart, BJ's)....now that I haven't had soda in a while, I drink
water with Lemon and it's actually tasting good! When I've cheated and had
soda or cappucino, it seems way too sweet and not thirst quenching at all,
so....my advice is to try to kick the habit pre-op, and I think it'll be a
lot easier making your other changes post-op! Good luck.
— Kelly B.
February 27, 2003
Ray,
I have something that may work for you, and I know that it has worked for
others as well. Once I did this diet "Body for life" and they
said to drink a gallon of water a day. I could not beleive that I had to
drink that much, but according to my boday weight, that was my calculation
(240).
I made myself do it, and it was difficult, but what I found, was on Sunday
when I didn't make myself diet,...I was parched and needed the water. Even
now, a year and a half after that diet, I HAVE to carry a bottle of water
around with me all day long. I don't drink a gallon, but I easily drink 64
oz. It's weird how your body will demand it after doing that. It is worth
a try. Good Luck!!!
— Michele B.
February 27, 2003
When I worked at a camp for over weight girls this summer, we found the
best alternative to just'plain' water. We would start with really cold
water, and then add a couple of lemon slices, and a touch of sweetner and
voila! sugar free super yummy lemonade! Hope this helps!
— Eryn G.
February 27, 2003
I was addicted to my Pepsi before surgery. Now I just drink water or add
Crystal Lite Decaf Ice Tea to the water.
I haven't missed the soda at all. Now I can't stand it.
— barbara A.
February 27, 2003
Hi there! You sounded just like me before surgery!!! I lived off Coke's. I
drank them like there was no tomorrow. After I had surgery I did go through
withdrawls BUT it didn't last long & now I can't imagine drinking a
coke. I just made it up in my head being healthy far out weighed drinking
my Coke's..... so sad for the Coke Company's. :)
— Beth G.
February 27, 2003
Okay, this isn't really an answer to your question but you might find it
interesting, and a motivating factor to NOT resume drinking those Coke's.
The sugar in one can of Coke suppresses your immune system for up to 6
hours. Now, imagine you're drinking 4 of those or more per day. That
means you're immune system is in a suppressed state ALL DAY LONG. And we
wonder sometimes how come we get colds, run down, feel crappy. How about
this? If you have a corroded battery in your car, the cables won't come
disconnect ... poor a can of coke over it and it'll eat through the rust
and corrosion. Do you really want to put THAT in your stomach?! Kinda
scary, isn't it?
— KelBurt
February 27, 2003
Hello! I had to put in my 2 cents here! I had the same concerns pre-op.
First of all, post-op you won't be able to drink soda because the
carbonation will really bother your new stomach - which was a big help for
me. Second, I've heard that soda will cause your pouch to stretch because
of the carbonation, and third, I've found that soda is so sweet anymore,
that I don't even want to drink it! I'm 4 months out, and can still only
drink a few sips of soda before it starts to bother my stomach, so in a
nutshell, you'll have to get used to drinking non-carbonated drinks - you
have no choice. I even tried to let it go flat - and it still didn't work!
You'll be amazed at how much your taste buds change after surgery - good
luck and God bless!
— jengrz
February 27, 2003
Hello! I had to put in my 2 cents here! I had the same concerns pre-op.
First of all, post-op you won't be able to drink soda because the
carbonation will really bother your new stomach - which was a big help for
me. Second, I've heard that soda will cause your pouch to stretch because
of the carbonation, and third, I've found that soda is so sweet anymore,
that I don't even want to drink it! I'm 4 months out, and can still only
drink a few sips of soda before it starts to bother my stomach, so in a
nutshell, you'll have to get used to drinking non-carbonated drinks - you
have no choice. I even tried to let it go flat - and it still didn't work!
You'll be amazed at how much your taste buds change after surgery - good
luck and God bless!
— jengrz
February 27, 2003
Just a comment........ Diet Rite is the only carbonated "coke"
(it also comes in other flavors ie; grape, and strawberry kiwi) is the ONLY
diet product that uses Splenda, has NO sodium, and NO cafene. My bariatric
nutrionist says..... "If you are going to drink a coke, make it Diet
Rite, as far as I'm concerned it should be the only diet drink on the
market." The others use sachrin or nutra sweet, which messes with our
insilin, increases appetite etc....... are loaded with sodium and cafene.
Don't drink coke at all, or make an informed, smart choice. It does taste
good, I myself used to be "addicted" to diet Coke a cola.
— Phiddy B.
February 27, 2003
I only drank Pepsi or Coke all the time. I even went to bed with it. I
have had no problems with giving it up because I know what will happen to
me. Your taste changes so much after surgery that it probably won't
matter. It is very important that you decide if you really want the
surgery or not because you will never be able to have pop again unless you
let all the fizz go out of it and I would rather do without than to have to
drink it like that. It won't be easy but it is worth it in the long run.
I don't regret a day that I have had to give my pop up because of all the
weight I have lost. Ask yourself is it worth giving pop up or is it worth
loosing weight.
— Lana Rush
February 27, 2003
Carbonation won't really stretch your pouch, but it will make you very
uncomfortable. I have also found that it's the one thing i just don't like
any more. I haven't noticed anything else that doesn't taste like it did
to me pre-op, but soda just doesn't do it for me.
— garw
February 28, 2003
I wouldn't worry about your "addiction" too much. After surgery
you will have so many other things to concentrate on that you will more
than likely get through the withdrawal period without too much trouble. I
would encourage you to remove soft drinks from your house the day before
surgery so that you will be less tempted to try them before your new pouch
is ready for them. Pre-op I drank 2 44 oz diet cokes every day! Now that I
am post-op I have tried a diet coke twice and both times I found that not
only do they not taste good anymore, they make me soooo uncomfortable!
— Lydia S.
February 28, 2003
I had the same issue before my surgery. I have found Crystal Light or Skim
Milk is the only way I can get my water intake where it needs to be. Hope
this helps
— Leslie A. J.
February 28, 2003
Pepsi One was my addiction (also loosely stated)! I can't drink it or any
carbonated beverage now without getting an agonizing stomach ache even if I
let it go flat! That took care of my addiction!
— Kristi T.
February 28, 2003
I literally drank 4-5 12 oz cans of Mt Dew (not diet) a day. I WAS
addicted. I have had no soft drinks since my surgery on 1-28-03. I have
had no adverse effects. I thought for sure I would go through caffeine
withdrawal, but not even one headache. I drink strictly water and sugar
free drink mixes. I am going to try to make iced tea with splenda, but
haven't done that as of yet. Good Luck!
— Kim DeHart
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