Question:
How long after surgery do we have to wait before we can drink diet coke again?
— Jackie S. (posted on October 28, 2003)
October 27, 2003
I was told never, by my doctor. The bubbles in the carbination strectch
the pouch.
— njquintana
October 27, 2003
I didn't have any soda at all until about 2 weeks ago at 8 months post op.
I have the occasional diet Mt. Dew now. I think by and large most people
agree that soda really isn't a good choice, although I don't see anything
wrong with some in moderation. Good luck!
— SarahC
October 27, 2003
As always, this is probably best answered by your surgeon/dietician. My
plan calls for NO carbonation (as well as no straw) for 6 months. The
caffiene isn't a problem as long as I get a minimum of 64 ounces of
non-caffienated drinks throughout the day.
— Carolyn M.
October 27, 2003
My surgeon has no real opinion on soda, just that if you can tollerate it,
and you want it, drink it. However, for me----I have been soda free for
two years. It tastes awful to me now.
— RebeccaP
October 27, 2003
Took me a few months to get back to enjoying the flavor of it again...and
now I'm hooked. Stay away as long as you can lol
— [Deactivated Member]
October 27, 2003
I drink diet coke without any problems at just over one year out. However,
I am aware that it causes me to retain water. Since I am currently at a
plateau, I have cut out the cola in hopes of spurring some weightloss. I
have seven pounds til I reach my goal and I want to give myself every
advantage.
— Rhonda V.
October 27, 2003
my surgeon also says never again but i have to admit I have had about three
cans since surgery in feb.
— Delores S.
October 27, 2003
I gotta say that I seriously doubt that the carbonation can stretch your
pouch--it just doesn't make sense from a physics standpoint since there are
two openings in the pouch from the which the carbonation can escape, and
the pouch wall is pretty tough stuff. Anyway, with that said, there is no
way on earth I could drink pop, even at seven months out. The carbonation
from an almost flat seltzer water Italian soda makes me feel just horribly
bloated and pained. I can't imagine how awful I would feel from a real,
full fizz pop. Also, beware of the caffeine in most pop. It interferes
with calcium absorption and can cause dehydration--two things we don't
need.
— Vespa R.
October 28, 2003
OK so I might get slammed for this, but here it goes. I have a serious
addiction to soda. I tried a sip at one month out, yuck and OUCH! But
now, 4 months out I do enjoy (occasionaly) my diet caffine-free soda, but
have to take out 99% of the fizz.
— candylnd24
October 28, 2003
I drink flat decaffinated diet coke so I think I covered all my bases. Even
so, only about 3 a week.
— Leslie R.
October 28, 2003
My surgeon advises that those that are most successful at WLS do not drink
carbonated beverages. I was a serious diet coke addict prior to my surgery
and while I'll admit to having taken a sip or two since my surgery, it's
lost it's attraction as my tastes seem to have changed post-op.
— Cathy S.
October 28, 2003
My surgeon says NEVER! They did a demonstration at a support group meeting
that shows why. The leader put a balloon on top of a twenty ounce bottle
of coke - the balloon inflated completely. Then she put a balloon on top
of a bottle of Crystal Light - absolutely nothing happened. What happened
to that balloon on the Coke bottle can happen to our pouches. Hence, it is
not good for us to drink carbonated beverages. If you absolutely must, be
sure to pour them over ice and let the carbonation die before drinking.
Now, in my opinion, there is nothing worse than a flat soda.
— Patty_Butler
October 28, 2003
But try that little demo with two good size holes in the baloon and see
what you get. It's a bad example, we have openings that allow gasses to be
passed out of our bodies. Just wait a few minutes and someone will post a
question about certain kinds of gas emissions!<p>
My surgeon allows diet soda. I can't remember how long he wants us to wait
after surgery, but I can remember starting up around the 2-3 month mark. I
did pour it over ice, so a lot of the fizz is gone, but it's no where near
flat. I haven't had any soda in the last 6-8 weeks b/c I'm pregnant and my
body turns off my soda craving when I get pregnant. Good for the baby, I
guess, but man the first week on caffeine withdrawal was the pits. I drink
straight water or maybe some diet V-8 splash, but I do kinda miss my diet
Coke.
— Ali M
October 28, 2003
All doctors advise different things. Mine said that I could eat or drink
whatever I want. I've been drinking diet coke since month 2 post-op. I
weigh 125 pounds and have for over a year now (I'm almost 2 years post-op).
I don't have ANY problem with it or maintaining my weight loss.
— Patty H.
October 28, 2003
My doc says NO to soda... the soda also robs your calcium so I have read.
gail -95
— Bama Beach Girl
October 28, 2003
Almost every morning I will stop somewhere and get a LARGE fountain diet
coke/pepsi. I will fill the glass to the top with ice first. This drink
will last me almost all day. After a few hours it is extremely flat and
diluted, but I still enjoy it and it helps to get my fluids (melted ice)
in. I am almost 3 years post op and I still can not drink a can or bottle
of soda. The carbonation HURTS!! But having it from a fountain, over lots
of ice, really flattens it a lot and is very enjoyable. Many people would
not care for my "version" of soda, as the dilution turns them
off. However, I have developed a taste for it. I suppose just like
switching from regular to diet soda. You will get used to it eventually.
Good luck! Shelley
— Shelley.
October 28, 2003
I have had at least one diet coke per day for about 3 months now and I am
just fine. 6 months out and down 112lbs!
— Brandee W.
October 28, 2003
Again, I know all doctors are different...but, what no one seems to be
saying, the reason why my surgeon recommends we stay away from soda, is
that you really need to be getting 8 eight ounce glasses of water a day.
Soda doesn't count, even diet soda (which really is a tragedy). If you're
getting in all your water, I'd say it's probably alright to go for it. If
not, it's probably best to focus on getting hydrated first. This sounds
like wild insanity coming from the world's biggest former Diet Coke addict.
But I've found that quitting the stuff wasn't as bad as I expected.
Diluted Crystal Lite does me just fine nowadays and does count toward your
water intake. Sorry to sound like a party pooper. I really do miss my
Diet Coke!!!! You're all doing so wonderfully!! Take care!
— jenpatalano
October 28, 2003
It doesn't taste the same to me so I don't drink it any more. But I was
told 6 months wait for carbonation.
— mrsmyranow
October 28, 2003
At first I didn't like the taste of Diet Coke after surgery. And before
surgery I drank at least 3 of the 20oz bottles. Now, at 4 months, I do
drink them again and I have had no problem.
— Denise D.
October 28, 2003
I think I started pop at around week two or three. I must admit it was
painful and I never enjoyed diet anyway. So once when I wanted it sweeter
like regular I put in Splenda. (Any artificial sweetener will have the same
"explosive" effect). IMMEDIATELY the fiz rolled up the glass and
out the top. I then discovered that not only did the artificial sweetener
make it taste more like regular but it also took out at least half the fiz.
I'm 2.5 years out and STILL PREFER my pop like this. It makes it so much
more comfortable to drink. It is'nt completely flat, so it is still
enjoyable. Yet it is comfortable on the pouch. I've found that you should
only add the sweetener SLOWLY. That way the fiz does'nt come over the top.
Keeping stiring... then add a tiny bit more, stir again and so on. This way
most of the fiz will be gone and it will taste sweet. Anyway having said
this, I envy these people who don't drink pop after wls, diet or not. I
don't think it is good for us however I don't drink, smoke or do drugs.
Thanks to wls I can't eat much anymore. I'll be $%$%#% if I'm going to give
up my last remaining vice. lol ;)
— Danmark
October 28, 2003
I am almost 1 year and I still cant drink sodas. they dont agree with my
pouch. my doc said it is best to not drink them, but I know alot of people
do. maybe you will be like me , try one and not like it. good luck
— terri R.
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