Sodas/carbonation and stretching your stomach

I'm a Diet Coke addict, recovering as of two weeks ago, not a drop!  My dietician mentioned the stomach stretching but also stressed that even flat soda just has a lot of acid in it.  It should be avoided and I can live without carbonation.  It's not worth taking the chance in my book ....or should I say...pocketbook!  $$

I dont know what to believe. I gave it up and am not looking back. Why start bad habits again. I will stick to water and Crystal Light.

I WAS THINKING ABOUT THIS SAME THING TODAY WHILE DRINKING A DIET PEPSI...I HAVE  SEEN PEOPLE POST ABOUT THE COKE AND COFFEE SUBJECT, BUT I DON'T THINK  I HAVE UNDERSTOOD THE "WHAT AND WHYS OF IT ALL," EXCEPT FOR THE CARBONATION I CAN KINDA UNDERSTAND, BUT THE COFFEE IS ANOTHER QUESTION FOR ME....WHAT IS IT ALL ABOUT??? 

I agree this is a controversial issue but also believe personally, that carbonated beverages can and will stretch your stomach (whether it is post-RNY or VSG).  After I had plastic surgery last summer, I lost 10 pounds that I did not want to lose simply because I was unable to eat much.  Trying to gain this weight back, I resorted to drinking regular coke 100 calorie cans.  I was able to gain that weight back within a couple months and now find that I can eat more, quite a bit more actually.  I liked that at first but then I had to consider the possibility of gaining back more than I wanted to.  Though I have not gained any further, I believe the potential is there.  The coke had to go.  Don't start back on the carbonation.....it can definitely contribute to weight gain (my opinion)...........................Barb

Ummm... I'm feeling the need to edit my first post. 

Ok, I paid a lot for my surgery out of pocket and I would NEVER jeopardize my sleeve.  I haven't had a diet dr. pepper in over 7 months and I was never an everyday drinker to begin with.  I just felt the need to pass along what I had heard and just wanted some feedback in hopes to help others that may be a little conflicted about the whole carbonation and stretching of the pouch or the sleeve for that matter.  We all know what's good/bad for us, etc.etc. but I do feel if others know that it will affect them more than just "it's not good for you, don't go back to your old habits" they will be less inclined to do it.  I know I could not afford to pay for a revision.  IMHO I believe there is more truth to this than it just being a myth.

DJ

There is no need to edit your first post.  Your point was well made and well taken and you have opened up a discussion that perhaps others will benefit from.  It did not sound to me like you were ready to start back on "the pepper"  but just requesting the opinions of others on the topic of carbonation.  Diet Dr Pepper was my fave pre-op too. These types of topics are beneficial for us all.  Thanks for posting your question.............Barb

LOL- Thanks Barb!  I was thinking, "Wow, does it sound like I'm about to hit "the bottle" again or what".  The bariatric coordinator herself said she had RNY about 5 years ago and that she had gained some weight back and that she too had converted back to sodas and felt like she could eat way more than she used to.  I really think there is a link between the two and just wanted to share and hear opinions on it.  I guess I was just feeling a little "sensitive" about it.  I really do appreciate and welcome everyones take on it.

DJ

I asked my nutritionist about this.  Shre said that over time, regularly drinking carbonated beverages can stretch the stomach.  But, to stretch the stomach to any great extent, you whould have to drink a lot of them on a regular basis.

The main reasons Vanderbilt doesn't recommend them is that they are high in acid (the carbonation is from carbonic acid), and you don't need any additional acid; and they take up a lot of room with no nutritional benefits to the body.  They also take up a lot of room, and prevent you form taking in good food.

Is having a healthy body not worth giving up carbonated drinks?

"I asked my nutritionist about this. Shre said that over time, regularly drinking carbonated beverages can stretch the stomach. But, to stretch the stomach to any great extent, you whould have to drink a lot of them on a regular basis.

The main reasons Vanderbilt doesn't recommend them is that they are high in acid (the carbonation is from carbonic acid), and you don't need any additional acid; and they take up a lot of room with no nutritional benefits to the body. They also take up a lot of room, and prevent you form taking in good food".
A comment from Old Medic
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This is exactly what my NUT told me. I haven't had any diet coke for well over a year now except for a sip I tried of my son's once and I discovered it was among things that I used to love that don't taste good to me anymore, so there won't ever be a temptation again. So, glad I tried it. It was much easier to forget after that. A diet soda certainly is not worth what I've gone though and what I've paid out. No siree.

Sue

I could easily drink 100 ounces of diet coke a day pre surgery. I paid a lot and am too scared to risk it. I gave it up. Plus nutrionally they are worthless and being diabetic there is concern about the aspartame trigging sugar needs/spikes etc. And aspartame is awful for us - it turns to formaldehyde in our bodies among other things. I knew all this but knew I was getting sleeved and decided to drink what I wanted before surgery but not after. I plan to stick to it as I don't want to risk it. I