Question:
Can you still drink the occasional soda post op??
I am pre-op and I know that I am addicted to PEPSI! It is like my coffee in the morning. I don't drink coffee in the morning, I dring a can of soda! Can you still have the occasional soda after you have the surgery?? Also is the sickness you feel after you eat comparable to morning sickness during prenancy? I was sick all nine months with both my kids, and just got used to throwing up. Is that about the same feeling?? — Misty P. (posted on April 2, 2003)
April 1, 2003
Unfortunately, I don't dump, so I am able to drink soft drinks. I can
drink a 20 oz regular coke throughout the whole day. You learn to time
your drinking with your eating. One 20 oz a day is much better than the 3
or 4 a day I was having pre-op. As far as the sick feeling, it feels like
you have eaten way too much. I feel like I need to vomit, but never do.
My problem is that I don't actually eat and then in the middle of eating,
feel full. It takes about 10 minutes after I have stopped eating before I
feel like I have eaten too much, if I have. I hope this makes sense. This
is why it is important to measure your food, especially the first few
months post-op.
— Kim DeHart
April 1, 2003
Yes, you can still DIETsodas after your surgery, but you may actually find
that the taste is just not the same. Many RNY patients discover that their
taste buds have dramatically changed post-op....the things that you
couldn't seem to get enough of pre-op, don't appeal to you at all
anymore...and vice-versa. I was just like you...couldn't start my day
without a Diet Coke, but post-op I suddenly found that I couldn't stand the
taste of it. Many surgeons "forbid" carbonated beverages, and
from time to time you will read posts which talk about "carbonation
stretching the pouch". Carbonated beverages cannot irreversibly
stretch the pouch, but they can create very uncomfortable...and
temporary...bloating of the pouch in the early weeks post-op. All liquid,
carbonated or not, just flows through the pouch and into the intestinal
tract, so don't stress over the "stretching" myth. Our surgeon
doesn't prohibit carbonated beverages, but suggests that his patients take
them very slowly in the first weeks...letting them sit out and get slightly
"flat" before drinking...or pouring them over ice will deflate
those bubbles somewhat. My motto was "why subject yourself to
something with absolutely no nutritional value that's going to make you
really uncomfortable (in the early weeks post-op)"?....it's hard
enough in the beginning just to get your required protein in! Now the end
of this story is that I'm now 3 years post-op and can drink sodas with ease
when they're offered or available, but I never regained the desire or
craving for them which I had before. Just let your body and your taste
buds be your guide, and you'll be fine :-) Best wishes!
— Diana T.
April 1, 2003
Part 2 of your question (sorry): not everyone experiences nausea/vomiting
post-op....and my experience was that "vomiting" was never the
same urgent, projectile experience that it was pre-op....it was more like
the effortless regurgitation that babies experience when they're just too
full...a really strange and different sensation which was never accompanied
by feelings of nausea beforehand. The few times that I experienced that
"regurgitation" was after eating too much...or eating too
fast....or not chewing thoroughly enough. It's a great learning or
behavior modification experience! A few patients will have a great deal of
difficulty with post-op vomiting and will not be able to keep anything
down. This is often a sign that the opening to the pouch has gotten too
small, and may need to be stretched open again by your surgeon....a simple
and painless procedure. Just follow the cardinal rules: sip, sip,
sip....chew, chew, chew (until the food is the consistency of baby
food)...eat very slowly, taking a few minutes between each bite...take very
small bites....and you likely will get along just fine. That eating
regimen won't last forever, but it can be a life-saver in the early months
post-op. After six months or a year, you will find that you can take
larger bites, not have to chew until the mushy stage, and will be able to
hold slightly larger amounts...but learning to eat slowly and being able to
really savor the tastes of food instead of eating like your house is on
fire and swallowing things whole, becomes a real joy! Patience and
following the guidelines are real virtues in the early stages, but have a
great pay-off in the end!
— Diana T.
April 1, 2003
My surgeon told me to stop drinking carbonated beverages altogether. He
told me that the carbonation can stretch your pouch. I've gotten better
about not drinking them. But it hasn't been easy. I've also read
someone's testimony that they had surgery in 95 and their doctor didn't
tell them not to drink carbonated beverages. She is now having to have a
revision because she said the carbonation has stretched her pouch. Anyway,
I would rather be safe than sorry.
— Shel E.
April 1, 2003
Hello! Like you, soda was my coffee in the morning before my surgery on
Jan. 13, 2003. I really miss not having a Vanilla Coke in the morning. I
think this is a psychological thing, because I really don't want the taste
of it anymore, just the caffeinated feel it gives. My doctor says that we
are not to have carbonated drinks for at least eight months after surgery.
I accidentally drank a few sips of something with carbonation in it and if
felt like it burned my esophagus. I have seen some people in my support
group who drink carbonate beverages, though, a few weeks after surgery and
they say that it doesn't bother them. I always have a fear of stretching
my pouch, so I stay away from carbonate drinks.
I really don't know what morning sickness feels like becuase I have never
been pregnant. Although, I can tell you that things with sugar in it make
be sick (shaky, sweaty, weak, fast heart rate). Sometimes I have to lay
down and the feeling will pass. Other times, I have a dumping syndrome and
it goes away. More times, I have a dumping syndrome. The key is to take
each day one day at a time. (I know easier said than done.) Some days one
food will be okay for you and you can tolerate it, the next day you will
not be able to tolerate it. I have only thrown up once and it was becuase
I was eating some "left overs" from eating out the night before
and the grease had time to settle and that was all she wrote for me. So,
now I try to stay away from sugars, carbs and greasy foods. This is just
something that you will have to learn how to deal with it for your own
personal needs/wants.
I hope all goes well for you. Good luck on your journey - Daphine
— Daphine C.
April 1, 2003
I was totally addicted to Coca-cola pre-op. It took me quite some time to
get off it but I have since tried it post-op. You know what? It was the
nastiest thing I ever tasted, I was severely disappointed! But, some docs
allow it, some don't. Mine told me I could have it occasionally and now
that I am allowed I won't even touch it! It's soo gross, I never ever in a
million years thought I would be saying that! And sorry I can't answer the
second part of your question, I was fortunate to not have morning sickness
with my pregnancy.
— Dee ,.
April 1, 2003
I am 8 months post op and have just recently started to drink an occasional
diet pop. I tried them earlier, but they honestly didn't taste
"right". Now, I pour them over ice, stir, and that seems to help
take out some of the carbonation. But, I always have the diet so that I
don't have to worry about dumping. Best wishes in your process.
— Heather N.
April 1, 2003
I was a total coca cola addict pre op...2 liter bottle every day...but
since my surgery, I don't like it nearly as much. However, when I get a
migraine, coca cola is the only thing that seems to help me. Always has.
Regular coffee doesn't do it...and any other soda does not do it. Only
coca cola. I don't know if it is psychological or not, and I really don't
care when I have a migraine. I just need relief at that point. I always
have at least one can around, in case I get a migraine. And I do
occasionally drink it just because...if we are out somewhere and bottled
water isn't available or something like that...I don't dump on it...I belch
out the carbonation (very discreetly and ladylike), so as far as stretching
the pouch, I don't think that is a concern at this point, for me. So, the
long and the short of it is, discuss it with your surgeon. And do what you
think is best for you. I am sure many surgeons will say no
carbonation...but with someone like in my case, with the migraines, they
may overlook it if you don't abuse it.
Have a Sparkling Day!! ~CAE~
— Mustang
April 2, 2003
I'm pre-op too. I honestly would suggest you don't drink the sodas. I've
read that it can stretch your pouch or aid in the disruption of staple
lines. The most important reason not to is because it does nothing for you
nutritionally. You take in empty calories and additional sugar that your
body doesn't need. Soda also has a lot of acid in it. I've done
experiment with a tooth in soda. The tooth started to decay after several
days...Imagine what it does to your insides. I was a big time soda
drinker, just like my family still is, and I gave them up. I had headaches
from the caffiene withdrawl but I'm fine now. I tasted some of my
brother's soda the other day and it tasted too sweet and syrupy. Well,
that's my 2 cents, but ultimately it's up to you and your surgeon.
— Morna B.
April 2, 2003
Just an addendum to Morna's post... soda with the tooth. My fathers car
mechanic shop uses soda to disolve acid covered battery terminals on a car
battery. Granted, this never stopped me pre-op from being addicted to the
stuff. I have tried it (3 mths post op) and it gave me a really bad burning
sensation in my pouch. I will wait longer. :) My taste for it hasn't
changed much. It still tastes really good, but like with anything post op
quantities are severly limited.
— daytymer
April 2, 2003
Misty, I never learned to drink coffee either (still don't), and always
used diet cokes or diet pepsi's to get through my day, big time. I learned
to limit them while on Weight Watchers, as a pre-op (once I learned about
caffeine being a diuretic), but never gave them up entirely -- and when I'd
fall of the wagon, I'd be pumping up the volume on my sodas, too. Finally
gave them up "cold turkey" about a month before WLS. It bugged
me for the first couple of months after surgery -- in meetings, I'd just
*stare* at my co-workers pepsi cans (mmmM!) -- but eventually I got over
it. I have the occasional diet Snapple (also has caffeine, so I watch
that), but lots of Crystal Lite, and lots of sugar-free Tang (which rocks,
incidentally). Plus, of course, lots of water (zzzzzzzzz). You can do it!
— Suzy C.
April 2, 2003
I think you will find many of us LOVED soda post-op. I was a coca-cola
addict myself and drank 2 cans a day pre-op. My surgeon and nutritionist
did tell me it could stretch the pouch, so I listened and stayed away from
it. Many others say the pouch stretching thing is not true, but for me I'd
rather believe it and be scared to drink coke! I've had a few sips here and
there and the burping would last minutes afterwards! lol can't handle it
as much. I think occassionally its ok, and I hear fountain sodas are better
than in a can, but I woul suggest only as a treat. I've known people who
only gave up soda as a diet an dlost 10lbs that year, so it is wasted
calories, as I'm sure you know. Goodluck to you!
— Lezlie Y.
April 2, 2003
After you reach goal, you can have whatever you want in moderation (as long
as it doesn't cause you to gain weight of course).
— mom2jtx3
April 2, 2003
I am am 18 months Open RNY post op and do not dump that often. Probably in
the last 6 months I have enjoyed my sodas (Coca-Cola). I drink only water
Monday-Friday and have a Coke on Saturday and one on Sunday. I have had no
problems with it and it still tastes as good as it did 18 months ago!
Again, moderation is key. You do not want to go back to your old habits
that got you to the point of surgery.
— Nicolette O.
April 2, 2003
Probably the best reason I've seen for avoiding any kind of pop post-op is
that it interferes with calcium absorption. I used to get Diet Coke if I
went out to eat and sometimes if I was just out running errands and wanted
something to drink. I make sure to take something along if I'm going to be
driving around and would rather just sip water with meals. Notice I said
sip, not drink. I've recently discovered that the 7-11s near me have a
Crystal Light slurpee. I've tried the raspberry ice and a lemon-lime one,
so that's an option for me also. Soda just doesn't taste good to me at all
post-op and it's the one thing that doesn't.
— garw
April 2, 2003
one of my biggest fears before surgery is how i would make it through a day
without a pepsi. i was a huge addict. today is my 11 month anniversary and
i have not had any at all and i haven't missed it either...
— candymom64
April 3, 2003
This topic came up in our support meeting the other night. I would suggest
you create a visual that will explain to you the reason why you can't drink
soda after post-op. Get a bottle of soda and a balloon. Take the cap off
the bottle and put the balloon opening over the opening of the bottle.
The Carbonation in the soda will eventually blow up the balloon and if you
leave the balloon over the bottle long enough, it will eventually pop the
balloon. Granted some Dr.'s let you drink FLAT soda after. It depends on
the Dr. The choice is up to you if you want to stretch your pouch or not.
I hope this helps :)
— Heather S.
April 3, 2003
Heather - how is a balloon like a stomach? It stretches. How is a
balloon stretched over a bottle NOT like a stomach??? It has NO
openings. Of course, it's gonna blow up. Our pouches have TWO openings
and gas can (and does) escape from either one *G*. Please, people, stop
with the soda in the baggies and the balloons stretched over bottles
comparisons. They are not valid...JR
— John Rushton
April 3, 2003
Heather -
How is my pouch *not* like a balloon stretched over a soda bottle?
I BURP! Most people learn to do about 2-3 months old; maybe you should try
it. Very useful for expelling excess air in tummies, pouches, etc . . .
leaves more space for yummy stuff!
— RWH G.
April 3, 2003
I drink tons of pop (95% of it diet) and regular coffee. I'm thinking that
these God awful stomach pains I get that feel like gallbladder attachs
"may" be an ulcer. So I'm slowing cutting back on these drinks.
But concerning the diet pop, I know it would be better not to do it to
often. However, I like to put Splenda in my diet pop. It takes most of the
fiz out and sweetens it like regular. It just makes it so much more
enjoyable and comfortable. ;) I don't believe it stretches the pouch as I
can "burp and fart" just fine. ;)
— Danmark
April 7, 2003
hi
i am a pepsi holick and i really didnt miss my pepsi hear we could not
drink it for about 6 mos and thats when i try it again they did say if you
really needed it fill a glass with ice cubes fill the glass with pepsi and
let sit for 20 min but it didnt tast like the real thing so i waited and i
really did not miss it good luck
— ROSEMARY A.
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