Question:
Are you able to drink diet coke or have liqueor after the surgery?

   — Kathy P. (posted on May 30, 2004)

May 30, 2004
My Dr. told me not to have any carbonation or alcohol until 6 months out of surgery. However, you are allowed to have a diet coke if you let it go flat before you drink it. But, it is really wise to go ahead and kick the habit before surgery. I am almost 9 months out and I might drink about 8oz of soda a month (if that). I used to drink a 2 liter of coke a day...and I don't miss it at all. I just don't crave it anymore.
   — Schtina J.

May 30, 2004
It depends on your surgeon's post-op diet. My favorite post-op drink is Diet Sprite and Bacardi O rum-it tastes like diet orange soda. Unfortunately, when you go to a bar or restaurant, they don't have Diet Sprite, usually, so I order a diet Coke and Bacardi Vanille. I haven't tried any mixed drinks outside of my home, but when I am home, I enjoy a Madras: 1 part light cranberry juice, 1 part low-sugar O.J., and a shot of vodka. (I usually use grey goose and it goes down very smooth.) One thing you will take notice of, undoubtedly, is the "cheap date syndrome". I feel pretty toasted after 1 standard drink, and my buzz usually starts after a few sips. I think the alcohol is directly absobed into your blood stream, or our new stomachs can't metabolize the alcohol or something-I dunno the science behind it, but WOOO! Make sure you drink the first few times at home (after getting the ok from your surgeon, that is) so as not to be caught by surprise if you can't stomach alcohol anymore in a public place-or, just so you can adjust to your new limit. I've heard that it's quite easy to become an alcoholic post-op-I dunno how true that is, but it won't hurt you to hear, if only so you are more observant than usual. We used to eat, eat, eat and since we can no longer do that, it sort of makes sense that we'd replace the overeating habit with an alcohol problem. Again, don't want to insinuate everyone becomes an alcoholic post-op, I've just been told that it's quite an easy slope to slip down post-op.
   — jenn_jenn

May 30, 2004
I do not drink any carbonated drinks. This is by choice, not surgeon recomendation. Some surgeons say no, some say yes. Do what's right for you.<br>Liquor will affect you differently after surgery. Just be careful as you introduce this to your diet. I personally feel the effects MUCH sooner and sober up instantly about 20 minutes later. Tis odd. I'm not a big drinker, but margaritas are usually what I have. Red wine is the only drink that has bothered me. best of luck to you.
   — RebeccaP

May 30, 2004
I have been drinking diet sodas since about 3 weeks post op. My weight loss has not been affected by it at all. With alcohol I have found that it takes far less to get me tipsy. :)
   — Michelle H.

May 31, 2004
I'm a year post-op. I didn't have my first soda until a few weeks ago. I just choose not to drink them but they go down fine and I have no problem drinking one. As far as alcohol, I had my first drink about 6 months post-op and it was wine. Since that went well, I stuck with wine for a while before trying beer - which I always liked pre-op but was afraid how the carbonation might affect me. I had no problems with beer either. I still have to take the first 4 sips slowly because I really feel the carbonation and a lot of "air" in my tummy with the first four sips but then I can drink pretty normally. I don't "slam" beers or drink fast so I don't know how I would feel if I were trying to drink really fast. I've had a few other drinks that contain hard liquor and those were fine too. Although, I had a peach bellini at an Italian restaurant which was absolutely delicious - not too sweet, very natural tasting. So good, in fact, that I decided to have a second one which was a mistake. I think I "dumped" a tiny little bit on the part of the 2nd bellini that I drank. I didn't finish the drink and I'm not sure if I just got really drunk or if I dumped a bit - maybe a combination. But, lesson to self - be careful! :) I haven't had the experience that some suggest in terms of getting drunk faster and sobering up faster. I find that it's pretty much the same as pre-op.
   — [Deactivated Member]

May 31, 2004
I do not drink any carbonated drinks. Pre-op I was a diet-coke-aholic but gave it up because my surgeon said no more. I've tried a sip or two, but just think it tastes ghastly now, so I can truthfully say I don't miss it either. My surgeon's reasoning was that it was hard on the pouch and was hard on your kidneys, so I trust his judgment.
   — Cathy S.

May 31, 2004
I didn't have soda until about 6 months post op. I am almost two years out and I can even drink regular soda if I just sip some (maybe half a can in an hour). It doesn't bother me. I can also drink alcohol. Beer makes me feel pretty bloated, but I can drink vodka dna juice no problem. It seems funny, because I will get tipsy faster than before, but if I lay off for an hour or so, the buzz is completely gone.....and I never get hung over. This is not to sound like I'm some alcoholic, but I had a sales meeting in Mexico...and well ya know, it kinda goes with the territory :)
   — emilyfink