The great soda (and straw) debate!!

One of the first things my doctor told me prior to surgery was, "NO more soda and NOT to use straws".  I have not had soda since two weeks prior to surgery and it doesn't really bother me, even though I drank several diet coke's a day.  However, I tried the straw and it seems to cause a lot of gas so I ditched the straw. 

Surgeon says - no and no.

I say - no to soda. yes i have used a straw - i don't notice a difference other than I drink my water faster.

It's very funny how different surgeons have such differing opinions on this.  The first doctor I went to in another city was drinking diet coke during his surgical presentation and he had no problem with his patients drinking diet soda.  My surgeon now doesn't like it at all but both of them agree that it doesn't stretch your stomach.... I have researched and don't find any evidence to prove that.  However, I don't normally drink it.  I am about 18 weeks post op and I think I have had about 8 oz of diet sprite once since my surgery.  I was on a car trip and had horrible nausea and just wanted the sprite to try and settle my tummy.  For the most part, I choose water or unsweet tea instead of soda. Not because of the carbonation but just for the health benefits. There are fake sugars and chemicals in diet soda and water is so much better for me. So 95% of the time, I plan on choosing water.

They told us not to drink from straws early on but after the first month or so, I started using straws again. I have had no problem with them at all. I don't believe that using them can stretch your sleeve either.  Again, I have tried to find any definite proof and I haven't been able to put my hands on it. 

Moderation... yeah, that seems to be a dirty word on this board ...

I drink from a straw every morning ... my iced coffee from my new Starbucks Plastic Venti Tumbler.  I think the main concern is the trapped air we get in our sleeved tummies.  I tried straws a few months out & had this problem but not anymore. 

Soda... I was a Coke Zero freak before surgery.  That was a big concern for me pre-op because I thought I would have the hardest time giving it up but it's carbs that keep wanting to come back into my life.  I do enjoy a coke zero once in a great while but it's very rare.  I just don't have the desire to drink it anymore like I used to.  I hate to admit but thank gawd!

I heard it's a myth about drinking soda & stretching your sleeve but what do I know.  I do think it's best to not drink soda IMO but there are a lot of things we shouldn't eat or drink ever again but we will.  We do have to be careful with what we call "moderation" but only because it can get out of hand like before surgery.  We just have to continue to make the best food choices as often as we can.  I have realized that my maintenance diet is not much different than my losing phase diet.  I still need to restrict carbs & keep protein high, but have just been able to increase some calories.  I am still trying to figure this thing out.

Once the stomach is healed, and I could drink from a straw without taking a big swig, I did it, and still do it, almost 4 years going strong.

As for soda, if it's a trigger, and makes you drink 10 a day, don't do it.

As for the "stretching of the stomach", does soda have some super power tha****er doesn't? Is soda going to sit in the sleeved stomach and pop it? Logically, let's think about this one, Liquids go in, hit the pyloric valve it opens, and goes into the intestine. If it's gassy, lots of bubbles, you might burp or fart, the liquid leaves the stomach.

My surgeon allows soda and straws. If it's not a trigger, then it's not a problem.

I've drank soda for almost 3.5 of my 4 years postop. My sleeve is still the same size it was at 8 months postop when I started having a soda on occasion. I own a sodastream machine. It's a take it or leave it thing for me. Soda isn't a trigger, I wouldn't have made it through my 24 weeks of "all day sickness"  coupled with antibiotic resistant E.Coli for 6 of those weeks of pure hell, without gingerale, and yep, I tried every other anti puke my guts up pill, tea, bracelet, tablet to get through it. Nothing worked except a few ounces of gingerale every few days.

I didn't touch soda until after I had hit goal. It made me burp. No harm no foul.

The problem seems to be that neither of these questions have been studied in any scientific way, so you are left with nothing but people's theories, opinions and anecdotal stories.  I tried to search both subjects and found exactly zero references in the scientific literature on my first try.  If anyone else has an actual study showing whether straws or soda pop are bad for post bariatric surgery patients please post the reference here! 

I was told that carbonated beverages and using straws can make acid reflux worse and I had slight GERD pre-op. My doctor said no more.  I was addicted to pop/soda pre surgery and have not had any since about 3 months pre-op.  Now that the habit has been kicked there is no way I will return.  For me that would be like telling an alcoholic a glass of wine is ok with dinner.  If I start drinking pop/soda again, my moderation would increase daily and I would find a way to justify it with myself. 

I define the word of moderation meaning this:  I ate and drank excessively pre-op and was morbidly obese.  If I eat and drink in moderation compared to what I used to eat and drink I would simply be obese.  I am not satisfied with that. 

Moderation is hard, and at what point do you stop.  1 soda a day? or 1 candy bar a day? or 1 small bag of chips a day? but for some moderation would be 1 soda, 1 candy bar, and 1 small bag of chips a day.  even items in moderation can add up fast.

I would keep a food journal if you are tempted at introducing the moderation idea to make sure your still on track.

For what it is worth, my DR. says no to both for 6 months; after the 6 month you are free to try. 

It was always easier for me to drink out of a straw.  Never had a problem.  Use a camelback if you're worried about sucking in too much air.

Carbonation - I stayed away from it for the first year.  Personally, I think the "stretches your sleeve" argument is bull****  You burp, or it goes down.  Don't see how much stretching can go on.  Now, I enjoy the occasional diet Coke when I have a taste for one.  It sits just fine for me.  It makes some people uncomfortable.  At the end of the day, you have to decide what works for you.