Question:
Does Pop shrink the pouch?

Does anyone know - does pop really shrink the pouch? I have seen some posts that mention it does and other that say it does not. Of course, I am only references no sugar diet soda - like Diet Rite. I have not been able to locate any articles that really explain. What has everyone been told by their surgeons? Thanks    — Julie M. (posted on January 7, 2005)

January 6, 2005
Shrink? I have heard just the opposite that it can stretch the pouch. That is why you cannot find any articles on the subject. This is a big controversey in the WLS world. My doctor says no to pop/soda, that it can stretch your new stomach. He even goes to the extent of not drinking it himself so he can tell his patients that a person can stay away from pop. I will admit that I do drink some diet pop on occasion, but for me it hurts with the carbonation in my pouch. I am not the only one in my family that says this, my husband had RNY also as me and he says that it hurts him also. His doctor says that he can have pop PO when he was 3 months PO. Some people drink it on a regular basis and have no problems. So you see there are doctors that say yes to pop/soda and other doctors that say no.
   — ChristineB

January 6, 2005
The myth is that is will stretch the pouch - from the expansion of gases in the carbonation, not shrink it. Since humans are equipped with ways of releasing gas, and there has not been any studies done to prove one way or the other, I doubt that it really happens. My doc allows diet soda after 3 months or so. I've drank it since I was about 6 months post op and never had a problem. For some people it is a trigger food, it makes us want to have a snack along with or right after drinking one, so that may be why the docs say no to it.
   — Ali M

January 7, 2005
Well I can only speak from my own experience, but I would say no it does neither, shrink or expand. I have drank diet soda since I was about 9 months out, and when I have done the cottage cheese test, that has been posted many times here, my pouch is still in tact.
   — Carey N.

January 7, 2005
There's so many myths out there about carbonated beverages that I finally asked my surgeon about it. He said early on in the process, the carbonation will make you extremely uncomfortable and the other reason is that carbonated beverages are very hard on your kidneys. That was enough for me. He said his most successful long-term patients give up carbonated beverages for good.
   — Cathy S.

January 7, 2005
LOL. Thats a new one! The myth, and I emphasize myth, is that it stretches the pouch not shrinks it! Wouldn't that be nice though if it did shrink it?
   — Cindy R.

January 7, 2005
My surgeon told me no carbonated beverages ever. I havent touch a drop in two years and dont plan to.
   — debmi

January 8, 2005

   — Lisa Cameron

January 11, 2005
My doctor said it doesn't hurt the pouch. I'm over 3 years post-op and drink NOTHING but diet coke daily (and have since about month 2 post-op) and I have maintained my weight loss.
   — Patty H.