Carbonated Beverages

So pre op I was obsessed with Pepsi Max.  I figured it was "diet soda" so it was ok to drink.  I know now that's not true and I'm not sorry that I had to give it up.  I haven't had a single carbonated beverage since surgery and at first it didn't bother me at all.  Nowadays, however, I miss the hell out of it.  I miss all carbonated drinks.  I miss sparkling flavored water, beer, and champagne as well.  New years is coming up and I don't know what I'm going to toast with when the ball goes down!  

I drink nothing but crystal light and propel water.  I bleed SF juices.  I just miss it.  Not just the taste but the texture.  It's all about the bubbles.

My question to all of you that are post op, do you allow yourself to drink stuff that's carbonated? If so, how long did you wait? How often do you drink it? How many do you have?

No way. My dietician told me it will blow up in the tube, causing great pain. I didn't do all this just to cause myself more pain. By doing this surgery, I beat diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and really reduced my arthritis issues. It was worth giving up carbonation. Hands down. Good luck and Merry Christmas!

I drink diet soda. It's not a trigger for me, so it hasn't been a problem. I don't like it really fizzy, so fountain drinks are better than anything from a can.

Thanks for your reply.  How long did you wait post op before having it?

I also was addicted to diet soda. I have had two very small sips since surgery and it cured that craving I was having. My doctor told me that carbonated beverages can cause your sleeve to expand - I def don't want to stretch my new small stomach. 

Is that really a fact though that drinking carbonation will actually stretch your sleeve? If you don't have any food that's being digested and you drink soda shouldn't it act as any other liquid and pass through your stomach?  I think that our sleeves are stronger than some gas from a few bubbles.  It just sounds like BS to me!  

I'm not trying to make up excuses to justify drinking soda because I know it's unhealthy and I'll continue to abstain from it as long as I can but I'm just trying to understand the reasons why we can't have carbonation.   I'm only 27 and it's unrealistic to think that I'll never drink soda ever again.

I know what you mean. He told me that the carbonation can mix with food in your stomach that causes a gas which can expand the sleeve - and you never really know when your stomach is empty... To me... It's not worth finding out :) I drink decaf tea with a little Splenda now and that does the trick for me. I don't think it's a big deal to drink one on occasion - but def not in the capacity we used to

Sooooo..... first the PC Disclaimer: "Follow your doctors instructions".

And just talking "mechanics" and not considering any addictions or triggers either mental or physical...... Just nuts and bolts.

You have it partly figured out !!!! Your a thinker..... a good thing !!!

I think I replied to you on my Pyloric Valve 101 post so I think you read that.... if not please read that because it is a baseline on the mechanics.

In the film industry we have a term "Professionally Managed" it most times is a reference to the management of the electricity. It can be a big problem if to many lights are turned on for the amperage limits of the supplied power to the building.

Why do I mention this..... drinking carbonation with a VSG needs to be "Professionally Managed" or..... big problem>(think pain and sick)

Carbonation for the most part should not be a problem with a fully open pyloric valve which you pretty much have figured out.

I drink diet Dew on occasion (yes, I know... nothing good about it) I like it because it's not as fizzy just opened and it tastes fine to me when it gets flatter. I'll open one, take a few sips and let it sit in the fridge or straight up pour it over ice. Tastes fine less fizzy and diluted by the ice.

I will never drink carbonation till I know the my sleeve is completely clear which for me is about at the 2 hour mark.

Drinking any liquid while the pyloric valve is closed is bad and can be painful, and drinking carbonation with a closed pyloric valve can be 10 times worse? 2-4-6-8 times??? who knows the exact multiplier, but the gas at this point will take up "volume" in this closed system. Ever see the Mentos dropped into diet Coke? Not saying it is the same.... just saying that the gas expands and can create pressure. Pressure is pain/discomfort..... repeated pressure in your sleeve is how you stretch it.

So if I were to make suggestions to you about carbonation:

- Check with your doctor first. (PC)

- Lose the weight first. Get firmly into maintenance.

- If YOU make the personal choice to drink carbonation... At that point you have a pretty firm grip on timing and tolerances.

*** Tip, start drinking non carbonation first for confirmation your pyloric valve is open, than to carbonation.

You are a young 27 (congrats on not waiting 20 more years!!!) and "Professionally Managed" carbonation is possible. That said, since you are so young and have many more New Years and other events to look forward to..... skip carbonation on this New Years and look forward to the next one !!!!

Hope this helps !

frisco

Thank you frisco! This is very helpful! I did have your post on the pyloric valve in mind and I remind myself about it every time I want to drink to soon after eating!

I am not a doctor nor do I play one on TV :) When you describe being "obsessed" with Pepsi Max pre-surgery that sounds, to me, like a trigger food/drink. At least that's similar to terminology that I use when describing my own triggers. Yours may be different. If that's the case then I would definitely stay away from it at all costs. My surgeon actually has a pretty moderate long term food plan but he was adamant about no soda again. 

I know that, for me, diet soda will be a gateway soda. I would start drinking diet soda and tell myself that I would never, ever, pinkie swear drink the fully loaded stuff again and I'm quite certain that a few months down the road I would be sitting by the pool sipping on an ice cold Coke.