Question about soft drinks

Well, I've given up soft drinks and caffeine to prepare for my surgery. I have not had them for about 2-3 weeks. But now I'm wondering, can you have soft drinks after surgery if they are diet and caffeine free? Or are they off limits all together? I love caffeine free diet mt dew, but I can live without it to make this surgery work. Just curious. Thanks, Penny

From what I gather, different surgeons have different ideas about soda.  Speaking for myself, I was told no sodas, and I have stuck to it.  I had given up caffeine in drinks several years ago, and after experiencing a week-long caffeine withdrawal headache, I am definitely not going back there.  I would suggest you check with your surgeon's office to find out what they suggest regarding the soft drinks. Good luck!

Every doctor is different. My doctor had told me no soda after surgery as well but soda has never ben a prob for me. Every once in a while I'll crave a rootbeer and sometimes I would use coke a cola to help with a belly ache BUT I can live without it. It's sweetened iced tea that's going to kill me! But I can use splenda. I think that in the first leg of the surgery, the carbonation and the sugar is what makes soda so bad for you. I dont see why a diet, caffine free or light sugar soda in moderation would be a problem in the long run BUT def not in the first year for me.

Thanks Brandi, I have fallen in love with Crystal Light (except the Lemonade flavor, YUCK for me). I really don't think I 'll have a problem giving up soft drinks, I'm right at 3 weeks without them now to prepare for surgery, so I think I'll be okay. Thanks, Penny

A great debate amongst us losers!!! **First and foremost, check with your surgeon. All are different in what they will/will not allow. Mine said NO to soda, caffeine, alcohol until at least 1 year post-op. I think that should be PERIOD but I'm guilty of all of them HOWEVER, lessons taught and learned.  Let's see soda is full of carbonation and empty calories and its STILL gives me the most uncomfy feeling in my tummy and I overall feel BLAH. Lesson: don't do it there is LOTS that taste better than soda anyhow and honestly ALL it does is make me WANT to drink more soda or drink more period.  Moving on to caffeine. I drink my cuppa everyday. I limit myself to 24 oz. of fully loaded cuppa and then I drink nothing but Crystal Light and such following it to the tune of about 80 oz. + of "good" fluids. Caffeine works like a diuretic (potty time!) and it also makes you want to drink more and frankly can make me feel BLAH too IF I don't get in my "good" fluids. Ahhhhh alcohol. What a MESS! Rarely to NEVER drank before WLS and decided to afterwards and developed an addiction and its NOT a good idea I don't care WHO you are. The effects on the body last much longer than the fleeting fun and high it gives. In addition, it can ruin everything you've worked so hard for and put quite a damper on your life. I'm sober and have NO interest and going down that path again. TRUST ME AVOID IT!  Hope this helps! All best!

Thanks, I have read many stories of people cross-addicted. It does worry me a little. I grew up in a home with drugs and alcohol, and can't stand it. I've promised I would never put my kids through that, so I haven't drink alcohol in about 10 years or longer.HOWEVER, I am human and can be tempted by anything just as other people.  Thanks for your info, Penny

One more vote for the check with your surgeon.  But, my surgeon says absolutely NO soda.  While the empty calories are a problem, it's not the calories and sugars that create the real problems for us....it's the carbonation. The carbonation with cause gas in your pouch to expand the pouch, which is something that you do not want to happen. I have a friend, who had lap RNY, and felt that if she let the mt dew go flat, then she deserved to have 1 small glass a day. At 2 months out, she had only lot 25 pounds and lost NOTHING in the 2nd month.  Once the doc found out about the mt dew, he was ticked (to say the least), because even though it was the diet stuff, it STILL creates problems in the weightloss.  She stopped and continued to lose weight. Another friend drink diet coke, and never reached goal weight. So..like anything else in this transformation, it's all about choices and consequences.......

Thanks Jill, This is interesting. I can see how the carbonation would affect your pouch. Soft drinks cannot be good for you. I think I can live without them. Thanks, Penny

Most surgeons say no to sodas. The carbonation is not good for you, not to mention the phosphor is bad for your bones - so my advice is if you can stay away you should.... I used to be totaly addicted to Diet Mountain Dew and since surgery I have not had any carbonated sodas at all - and hope I never will - I don't miss it - I was sure I would.... but don't knowing it could be my downfall.... But is is also an individual thing - and you are responsble for your own success. I wish you luck with your decision! Jackie