Question:
Whats your opinion on diet sodas? Can we have them?
Some post ops say they drink diet soda and feel great. Others say they would not dare try it. Others say Dr said definitely no. Please help, I love diet soda and drink no more than three a day. HELP!!!HELP!!! — Irma H. (posted on January 23, 2002)
January 23, 2002
I was told absolutely NO to any sodas or any carbonated drinks. It will
streach out your pouch and close our window of opportunity. Hope this
helps some.
Vicki Mize
— vmize
January 23, 2002
Irma, No one can give you a "correct" answer on the issue of
carbonated beverages because there have been no controlled studies to
indicate if drinking those beverages adversely effects post op weight loss.
So, anyone who gives you "THE" answer, just remember.. that is
their opinion, okay? Now, given the fact that you are already drinking the
sodas, do you have any intention of quitting if someone tells you that you
MUST? Or, if someone tells you that it's OK, and you continue to drink
them, and later regain your weight, will you blame it on the sodas and
possible misinformation? I'm not trying to be harsh here, just pointing
out that many of us are seeking answers from others when there are none.
Don't abdicate responsibilty for yourself. So, all that said.. I drink
sodas.. do I think it's "okay," well, I don't know.... it's just
what I do. I do lean toward caffiene free and ones with no phosphates
(potential calicum leachers).
— BethVBG
January 23, 2002
We were told absolutely NO carbonated beverages, period.
The bubbles/carbonation will cause the stomach to stretch.
Besides, they're not good for anyone's health (even though
they do taste good). Suggestion: go for Crystal Light --
it comes in different flavors and it is sugar free.
— Betty Todd
January 23, 2002
The easiest and probably smartest thing to do is follow your Drs plan for
aftercare. If he says no soda, don't do it, if he says drink soda, drink
it. good luck
— [Anonymous]
January 23, 2002
I was told by my nutritionist that I should not drink soda unless it was
flat do to the gas that can build up. I asked her if I drank it would it
strech my pouch and she said probally not. personally if I have a soda I
let it go flat first. Good luck.
— Arlene V.
January 23, 2002
The first poster probably had the best reason for not drinking soda.
Nearly all colas have caffeine and many non-colas do also. Caffeine is a
diuretic and that is not something you want, especially if you're not able
to get in your 64 oz of water every day.
— [Anonymous]
January 23, 2002
I have drank diet coke since 4 months post op. I made myself like the
caffiene free though since caffiene is not good for you. My dr said this
was fine, anything to help my fluid intake as water tends to make me sick.
Every dr has their own idea what is wrong or right though.
— paula B.
January 23, 2002
My doctor said no carbonated beverages period. He said they can cause
staple line disruption in the first 6 months. He said even after that it
can cause pain because it blows your pouch up like a balloon. He said early
on he had patient who reported pain when she drank pop they did an xray of
her drinking the pop and watched the pouch expand which was causing her the
pain after that he said no carbonated beverages of any type for his
patients.
— Candace F.
January 23, 2002
My doctor was one of those "no soda whatsoever" types. I
followed his advice faithfully for the first 6 months post-op. Then I
started drinking a little bit of soda (no more than 12 oz. per day). I
haven't had any ill effects whatsoever. Some on this board say it can
"stretch your pouch" but 160+ lbs. lighter, I have not found this
to be the case.
— Terissa R.
January 24, 2002
I say <b>NO</b> to soda and so does my surgeon, but for a
different reason than the ones that others have brought up here. Soda
contains citrus and phosphoric acids which interfere with calcium
absorption. Twelve ounces of soda cost you 100 mg of calcium. Since all of
us with a bypass have problems with calcium absorption anyway, this is a
BAD idea. Do you want to have osteoporosis in 10, 20 or 30 years just so
you can swig a few Diet Cokes now? I doubt it. Are you willing to risk
pouch stretching (it sounds like you are) and staple line disruptions too?
(I hope not). I think you need to really think about this issue. Giving up
soda is a small step really in the face of all the changes you'll make
after the surgery. If you're already post-op, I strongly hope you'll
consider quitting for the sake of your bones and teeth long-term.
— Julia M.
January 24, 2002
YES TO SODA, as long as its CAFFINE FREE AND DIET, so my
doctor/nutritionist has told me at my 4wk post op visit. i dont drink it
often but on an occation its nice to have. i know every doctor is different
but i just wanted to tell you what my experience is, hope it helps you all
that miss your soda.
— jennifer L.
January 24, 2002
I am 6 weeks post-op. I still love soda. any kind!!
I have found that I can drink 1 oz. ( a medicine cup)
sometimes 2 of real/diet drinks. but not everyday. And just when I HAVE to
taste a coke. My 2 cents worth.
— Cindee A.
January 24, 2002
The foods/drinks etc. you consider "absolutely nescessary" before
surgery, will change 100% after surgery! I was very concerned about
"what I couldn't have" or "my food sacrifices" but when
you are out of surgery, all you will be thinking about is recovery. You
won't be physically hungry... you'll start trying to just get some water or
protein in, you won't even try to fathom beyond getting to the bathroom or
perhaps catching a good rest. Once you get to the stage where you would
even consider trying to sip a soda- it will taste odd to you. All
reintroduced foods and drinks did to me. Now at 1.5 yrs out, I will still
pop a soda (any kind) without thought and end up having a few sips and
discarding the rest. Your diet soda will always be there- you may have to
wait a few months to try it- but believe me, what concerns you now may not
AFTER your surgery.
— Karen R.
January 24, 2002
Pre-op I was a Dr. Pepper addict--2-3 a day. Not the diet type either. I
stopped drinking them when I decided to have surgery because I heard that
they could possibly stretch your pouch and/or corrode your staples. I don't
know if either one of those things are TRUE but luckily it doesn't matter
now because I don't even like to drink sodas anymore! The carbonation makes
my pouch very uncomfortable--a too full feeling. About every 2-3 months I
have just HAD to have a little soda and I drink about 1 oz and throw the
rest away. I thought it would be a big deal and lo and behold it wasn't!
— ctyst
Click Here to Return