Soft Drinks

Just wondering - what happens post surgery if you drink soft drinks? I am a Diet Coke addict and am ok with the fact that I can't drink it post surgery. But what happens if you do? Just wondering.

I have to take tiny sips because I feel like my belly will explode from the carbonation. I have a friend that lives on diet coke postop about eight years. She can. I can't. Each is different. I do know that it and coffee, anything caffeinated, inhibit vitamin absorption even further, especially calcium. I, however, am a coffeeholic. LOL If you do drink it, make sure you're careful. If not, it hurts! It also takes up all the room in your belly, so don't drink it before, during, or immediately after meals.

My surgeon and NUT both said to stay away from soda post-op as much as possible. Its fine now and then but diet soda is really horrible for you! Its a diuertic (sp?) and will counteract your water drinking and the fake sugars arnt all that great either! They said it was ok to drink now and then and at this point (I am 3 weeks out) to let it go flat first (yuck). Not sure on what the rule of thumb is about carbonation - 6 months maybe??

Sandra; Post-op, aspartame tastes horrible to me (plus at 80 degrees farenheit, it turns to formaldehyde and who needs that in their system?!), but last weekend in FL, I did try the Diet Coke w/ Splenda. As long as you let it go a little flat, it's fine. If not, the carbonation may fill up your pouch and then you're just really uncomfortable. I wasn't a big soda drinker pre-op. I'm even less so post-op. Long term, surgeons are against soda because it's just not good nutrition. The artificial sweetners aren't very good for us, nor is the caffeine. Blessings, Jennifer 253 / 161 / 137

I know all docs are different but mine told me that carbonated drinks can cause your pouch to expand. I have heard many people state that they have not had any problem with this and they are several years post op but that is what my doc states so I plan to avoid drinking carbonated beverages. Donna

My first sip of soda post op, was horrible! My mouth filled up with foam, weirdest thing I had ever seen. LOL I stayed away from it for a long time. Now I take sips here and there, but hold it in my mouth to allow the bubbles to go down before I swallow. I just stick with my Jasmine ice tea.

My Dr says no soft drinks because they can expand your pouch

I read in a post op newsletter that I get from my doc, that the carbonation causes the stoma to stretch, something that we don't need! I have a sip occasionally but just a sip.

My surgeon says the same - the expansion rate of carbonation will cause your pouch to stretch too much. In fact, he says that soda is one of the reasons why people overeat in the first place - stretched stomachs = increased portions. I was a diet coke addict too - probably why i ended up having surgery to begin with! lol