Beck90

Congratulations on your approval.. I know how you feel.. I was very nervous waiting on my approval because I'm bipolar II.. and a lot of us get turned down because we're all painted with the same brush. And I'm glad you decided to switch PCPs it doesn't sound like if she didn't understand that 100 pounds overweight and pre-diabetic with a family history was medically necessary that she's a good fit for you.

I wasn't being mean Lipstick lady. Its a pretty serious operation.... and I want to see her succeed. not harm herself.... I have no real issues with the soda verses not.... aside from the fact its bad for you... and I don't like or drink crystal light either... I want everyone to win against this battle.... and if you are not going to listen to the docs... I mean they have ( many of them) being doing this studying this for many years... They know a lot more about this stuff than any of us do... and If your not going to be able to handle it and its hard,,, especially at first and pretty scary to... I don't want someone to go through all this and regret it.... for it is not for the faint of heart.... or the ones that can't or wont stick to the diet....the only way to succeed is to stick to the diet... follow the docs advice I would hate for her to be curled in a ball for several hours for a sip or two of soda... that would suck.... I just want her to make sure this is what she wants..... and to do what needs to be done to be healthy and happy..... now saying that I am not saying not to live.. I had a spoonful small one of each child's birthday cake... I have a few dark chocolate covered raisins and some sherbert now and again as we are changing lifetime habit... it seems like she doesn't want to make those needed changes and that worries me for if she doesn't her life is not gonna be very pleasant... and drinking soda a month out... your still on the liquid diet a month out.... it sounds like a painful plan to me and it worries me.... a month out sounds too soon.... and for those on about Protein Shakes after surgery I could not tolerate them barely tolerated them during my month long liquid diet before surgery after it was a no go and I would gag... so I had to find another way....I am truly trying to help with my experience.... I dont drink any Protein shakes... I eat my protein... meats steak chicken Beans cheese....I cannot imagine living on them as I saw another poster say ... YUCK!!... But truly was not being mean or harsh... Just want the Op to take a good hard long look and make sure this is something she wants and can do... it is not for everyone.... I am pretty blunt and straight with what I say... rarely do I try to pretty it up.... it needed to be said... and I think she needs to take a long hard look at it one more time to make sure its what she truly wants..... giving up soda for health.....its a small sacrifice.... and with WLS sacrifices have to be made....

I am going to correct a few things you said above as gently as possible. I am quite certain you aren't responding with hate in your heart, but your words are quite harsh and to be honest, quite rude. I am as blunt as they come and I have no problem with people who are the same, but damning someone to failure because they don't do what you do is wrong. My opinions and my truths only belong to me. I will share my very successful experience because they worked (or didn't work for me), but I will NEVER INSIST that my way is the only **RIGHT** way and that is how you are coming across in my opinion.

First. Sleevers don't have pouches and they don't grow. Their stomachs are swollen from surgery, and that swelling goes down, but that is not a pouch and it is not growth.

I drink soda and I am not overweight or unhealthy. I hit goal within 9 months.

She didn't say she didn't want "truth", she said she wanted people to be nice. Big diff. That said, your opinion does not equal TRUTH. (Nor does mine.)

She didn't say she knew more, she is doing her research and asking for opinions. I am successful and my opinion differed from the opinion originally offered by my surgeon. For the win, he agreed with me after he saw my reasons for MY individual case.

How dare you tell someone they shouldn't have surgery for asking a question. Isn't that up to her surgeon and NP? What makes YOU think YOU know more than them? (To use your words...)

I am sure she knows it is a serious surgery. I am sure she knows the risks. I am certain that if she was "curled up in a ball for hours" she would learn her lesson -- something we mostly all go through. She wasn't asking if she could drink soda a month out, either.

I wasn't on liquids for a month post op. Again, your plan isn't everyone's. I had some good and bad experiences. I learned from my mistakes and I am sure the OP will do the same.

Soda is not going to doom her any more than chocolate raisins or sherbet doomed you. I am not sure how you justify your "forbidden choices" as any better than her's.

@@LipstickLady - First off.. I was going to have to say a lot more and it would have been a lot less nice than you said it so THANK YOU very much for sticking up for me. I appreciate it. As a new sleever and fairly new to the forum it's not fun to come on here and get information and get hate and judgment instead. You ROCK. You are AWESOME. Keep preaching it, sister!!!

@@Cari Dickenson - I'm going to be as nice as possible about this.. but I feel the need to stand up for myself about a few things.

I started researching the surgery just over a year ago. I went through six months of physician supervised dieting and a -ton- of (extra) clearances that a lot of people don't have to have because of my bipolar and anxiety issues. Trust me.. if the powers that be didn't think I understood and was capable of and able to commit to the changes being made - they would not have cleared me for surgery.

I also don't think that this is a light thing..I'm agreeing to let someone cut out 80%+- of my stomach. You better believe that I take it seriously and that I took a good hard look and did a LOT of research before I decided it was what I wanted to commit to.

I've never done or indicated anything that suggested I'm not able or prepared to make a slew of changes to my life to make this surgery work. And work it will. I am determined to make this new tool work for me. If something I try doesn't work then I'll do something different. Seeing as how I'm not a masochist, if I try a sip of pop a -few- months out (certainly not one month out) and I'm curled in a ball in gas pain then I won't try again and will blame no one but myself considering I know that's one of the possible things that could happen, and if it does.. I'll live (and learn).

I absolutely can stick to the diet. I'm not faint of heart. In fact, I have every single meal planned out for the entire 13 days of my pre-opp diet. So, I can follow the rules. The difference is that the pop "rule" is not a hard and fast rule. It's an opinion and not all surgeons agree with it... so I'm merely choosing which side of the debate I agree with. It's not like I'm saying "I'm not going to take my protein intake seriously" or " I'm going to go out and have a steak the night I get released from the hospital." I'm advocating that there are legitimate arguments for both sides of the debate and came to get information.. not validation.. I don't need validation because plenty of doctors have already given that.

Please don't make judgements or predictions about people you don't know anything about. Especially about their worthiness to have surgery or their ability to succeed after having surgery. I'll be happy to tag you very first in the thread I WILL post in a year or two that says I made it to goal weight and again in the thread I post a year out from that that says I'm happily maintaining that goal weight.

I will succeed.

Notice, I didn't use a question mark. I used a period. I'm not asking a question, I'm making a statement. I will do whatever it takes.

HA I think it hurt because the band size got too small because I got fatter but I definitely do need to get remeasured.. and if my cup size goes up I'm getting a reduction. The stupid DD is already bigger than I want -.- I wish I was one of those girls with small ones.

Sigh I hope mine shrink... I've been in a bra since age 8... I needed underwire by 4th grade.. I was a DD cup by 8th grade.. which was terribly embarrassing to me.. and worse off there's an obvious size discrepancy- both are large but there's at -least- half a cup if not full cup difference.. and I hate that.. I've been embarrassed by it for years.. all through high school and college I wore bras and finally last summer on a really hot day I just HAD It.. I took off my bra... looked at the lines it had put on my body from being stretched around my middle.. and I decided I couldn't stand it one second longer.. Now if I MUST wear a bra I wear a sports bra.. otherwise I'm wearing nothing.. My mom is mortified LOL Coming from a very conservative Christian home (even though she grew up in the 60's) she can't imagine how I can leave the house without a bra... but she's also very small busted so I don't think she really gets how miserable it is to have been a DD (and now probably bigger! since high school was the last I was measured ) since I was 12-13 years old.. I want to be able to wear cute little bralets and stuff.. I would like to be a B cup and perky or something.. Sigh..

So .. I have to confess that I'm terrified about the amount I have to drink post surgery.. 64 oz.. right now I drink maybe.. half of that.. MAYBE. And I tend to have the reaction that if I drink much more, I'm constantly having to pee.. like.. every 10 minutes.. I have the feeling that if I drank 64 oz a day I would need to come HOME from the hospital with a catheter because pee would just be constantly coming out XD Does anyone else have this problem? How did you handle it?

I'm seriously considering getting a tattoo if I hit my goal weight ... I hate needles and I'm scared of pain.. lol maybe you can talk me into doing it with your no pain no gain attitude

@@LisaMergs Thank you so much for that list!! We can add another surgeon to the list of "It's okay to drink some diet pop in moderation" And at least a month out is a good plan - I planned to wait at least until my sleeve seemed to be tolerating solid foods well again which seems very individual for people so not sure how long that'll be.

@@Christinamo7 - actually I don't think it is - one of my best friends is older (in her late 50's) and she got her first pair of bifocals as progressives but then she broke them and she didn't have the money to get anything but traditional bifocals and the whole year she had them she was completely -miserable- they didn't really help her the way the progressives did and she was looking over them as much as through them. It made a huge difference to her when she was able to save the $$ to get progressive again!

@@snickysnack78 That's a great idea!! once I'm completely healed and a few months out if I decide I want to try pop, then I'll try like sierra mist.. which has carbonation but is caffeine free and clear liquid - so it might be easier on my sleeve.

I think it toootally just depends on your body - from what I can tell some people have intense pain from the gassy bubbles and some people tolerate it fine.. just a waiting game to find out which I will be and I honestly think I'll be okay with either outcome.. I won't miss something if it caused me pain (Much like the fact that throwing up after eating a piece of rhubarb pie when I was about 6 has given me a lifelong distate for the stuff)

Well two things..

1) I would never try diet pop until my sleeve is all healed.. no way I would risk it

2) if I had pain or didn’t enjoy it the issue would be a moot point I just wouldn’t try it again.

But supposing #2 doesn’t come true..

Everyone’s body is different.. I have never been tempted to eat more of foods I should not eat by drinking pop.. The idea of slider foods is not an issue for ME personally sugary foods don’t affect me in that way.. I have worked with my nutrionist and counselor to figure out EXACTLY why I’m over weight and what I need to modify after surgery… And they do agree with me that slider foods aren’t part of my problem even now and probably shouldn’t be after. (Though I will watch out for it)

Secondly.. why would I want to drink something that’s bad for me.. - I guess because on the whole I’m working on making loads of good decision and putting lots of good things into my body. Having the occasional few sips of diet pop is a good way to reward myself and not feel like I’m depriving myself from every single thing I enjoy. Plenty of people drink other things that aren’t good for their body (crystal light, articial flavorings for Water etc) and those aren’t anymore healthy than diet pop.. so.. I really don’t see the difference. Just diet pop has become more villanized.

I do want the weight loss.. I am serious about it and I WILL do whatever I need to to succeed including modifying what I want if it doesn’t work out later….

That said, I’m not having this surgery to exist on Protein shakes for the rest of my life.. I’m having this surgery so I can be healthier.. and do all things in MODERATION. Moderation does not mean cutting out everything I enjoy completely — it means being more reasonable.. it means making more good choices and less bad choices.. but I guarantee you that ONE choice that some people see as bad is not going to derail my progress. I won’t let it.. especially because several others have been very openly posting here that they’re succeeding even a couple years out and Do drink pop and GASP one lady even drinks it with a STRAW. Others are even posting that they do drink diet pop with their doctor’s blessing or that their doctor didn’t even address the topic.

Why I don’t ask my surgeon why he doesn’t agree with it? Because they persist with the myth that drinking pop stretches your pouch and you can’t have a discussion with a person who perpetuates a myth - either because they believe it or because they think scare tactics are an okay practice to control their patients. But the reality is… a number of surgeons are now speaking out about and are saying the idea of pouch stretching (from diet pop or otherwise) is complete ridiculousness.. yes.. you do eat more food as you heal - that’s normal.. but it has nothing to do with pouch stretching and everything to do with your stomach and intestines being able to tolerate more food as you heal (according to the video by Dr. Weiner earlier in the thread.) The secret (again according to Dr. weiner) is that even though 3 years out you may be able to eat a whole plate of food that you keep that plate small, well portioned, and make more good choices than bad ones and learn to retrain your stomach during the period where your appetite is most suppressed.

Now.. Dr. Weiner doesn’t personally support drinking pop (nor crystal light.. etc he doesn’t even really like Protein Shakes but sees them as a necessary evil) I’m just talking about the other things he said in the video as explaining how the eating more food thing works.

Are there physicians and surgeons who don’t have a problem with diet pop ABSOLUTELY - read the full thread.. several people have posted saying that theirs don’t have an issue with it.. my own personal care physician said it’s okay in moderation as long as it isn’t affecting my WLS.. but he didn’t give me any information about how soon I could try it or anything which is why I started this thread.

I AM glad I raised this issue because I’m glad to see that I’m not the only one who feels this way. I AM glad to see that others believe I can succeed and don’t believe I’m doomed for failure.. and for those of you who do.. I’ll prove you wrong. I’m super determined to make this work for me.

Also, I didn’t put the notice I did on the topic because I just wanted everyone to agree with me or validate choices you see as wrong… I have social anxiety…I put it there because I didn’t want it to become a battle and so the thread could be a source of information from those who are drinking pop and are succeeding. Not because I fear people disagreeing with me but because the thread is more helpful to those seeking information when it’s not a debate about whether diet pop is okay or not (which wasn’t the original question)

@ Thank you so much for that video link! It was super super informative! I respect him for being able to say he's anti-pop but not using that stance to perpetuate untrue myths about it / using "scare tactics" to get people not to drink it. (My own program is still telling people in our classes that drinking carbonated drinks will stretch the stomach so don't ever drink them). I think it's also important that if you do want to try foods like pop or chips or what have you that you check yourself... you're much less likely to have it become a slippery slope (I think) if you monitor yourself "Am I eating chips again every day?" Like Dr. Weiner said.. it's not one choice but a return to old habits over a period of time that causes weight re-gain and non-success and that was a very good way to look at it and makes a lot of sense!!

It may well be true that after I have surgery I won't want it or care for it.. I do believe that's possible.. I just tend to always feel better having a game plan either way..

And yes.. I've talked to some people who either their doctor said it was fine or didn't address it at all.. and my own primary care physician said as long as it wasn't intefering with my weight loss and wasn't causing me gas pain it was okay in moderation. Just didn't give me advice beyond that which is why I was asking for others' experience.

I appreciate that some of you don't agree.. but what works for one may or may not work for another.

However.. I've had some very nice people PM me who have given me advice about how to handle the diet pop issue if I do want to try it post surgery which means I got what I needed to know answered. So I think we can lay this topic to rest and simply agree to disagree.

@@Squirrelgirl Yep it is absolutely a lifestyle change and some things will have to be sacrificed and others not.

I'm up for the challenge.. I just know to make it work as a lifestyle and not a temporary method I'll have to do things a bit differently sometimes but that's been me my whole life lol. a lot will definitely be different instruments to what I'm used to.

@@LondonHawk My theory before was never everything in moderation .. it was everything I want whenever I want it in gigantic quantities that's how I got to the place I am in now.. now I believe the sleeve will -help- me to achieve something I have.. everything in moderation as a tool.

I wasn't looking for someone to tell me it's okay.. I'm already aware that many doctors think it's fine and just as many think it's not... I was looking for information about -why- their doctors say it's okay, what they say about combatting the "it stretches your stomach myth" and how long out from surgery they tried it.

That was why I said initially that I only wanted nice/favorable posts... I am well aware some people don't agree.. but was looking for information from those who do...

@ I think this is exactly the thing.. some people must follow the rules -exactly- as given to succeed.. others need the freedom to modify things to their lifestyle to make it work and be a real lifestyle change.

The fact that I'm thinking about how to handle my life post surgery and how to deal with problem issues isn't some sign I'm not committed actually it's a sign I'm very committed because if I chose to ignore it and not research it and not figure it out... then I'd be in a mess when the time comes. I have to think about those things and plan for them now because that's just how I am lol.

I like the philosophy taught by your aunt's surgeon you retrain your stomach via surgery and everything in moderation

@ THIS THIS exactly.. I don't like strict "Do's and Don'ts" on every little thing. Some things do have to be strict Do's and Don'ts (like Protein intake) but not everything needs to be.. I much more like a "lets see how it goes" approach.. I mean who knows my new stomach may hate pop and I don't think I'd be disappointed with that..

I don't see it as eating around my sleeve.. I see it as gathering information about a topic that different docs/surgeons/ and NUTs don't all agree on so I can make a decision wisely.

@@PinkPolkadot619 true.. I haven't succeeded at losing weight but I think that has more to do with portion size and too -many- bad food choices rather than moderation.. both of which have to change but just to play devil's advocate.. a number of people post sleeve still drink alcohol.. and while that does have some health benefit in moderation it's not a Protein or a veggie.. your body doesn't "need" it and it's FULL of "unneeded" calories.. so why is that not frowned upon but a can of diet pop here and there is apparently completely taboo?

Who knows! Perhaps I will not like the taste of it or will find that I have gas pain as well and then it'll be a moot point.

@@Cervidae - I would argue that it's not like saying when can I start smoking again... there are a lot of surgeons who DO allow diet pop and think it's fine.. I don't know any who say it's okay to smoke after basically I'm asking for information from people whose surgeons were okay with it because I didn't have any choice in my surgeon or even my hospital due to insurance constraints.. If I had had I would have chosen a surgeon I mesh with better. I'm not looking for anyone to pacify me but the fact is there are several surgeons who DO say it's okay... so.. there's likely some merit there..

@@PinkPolkadot619 absolutely anything post surgery should be with caution. I doubt I'll even try it for several months.. I do know that I've never had an issue with craving more sweet things or wanting more pop after having it.. I've always and only had one diet pop a day (with supper) for years. Though I suppose surgery could change how I react to it? I'll keep an open mind and an eye out for it.

@@Proud2BMe - did your surgeon give any explanation for "why" the "it will expand your pouch" thing is a myth? Why do surgeons say this if it's not true?

And I'm always happy for more friends/mentors

Hey @@Christinamo7 Sounds like you could be a good friend you've come a long way in your weight loss journey! I have two cousins with autism -- one very high functioning and one not as high functioning - we've got some things in common!

@@Inner Surfer Girl - For the most part I do what I'm told. The things I tend to question are things like where I know several surgeons disagree with mine and so I might look into why and make my own decision. I kind of got into that position because I'm on medicaid so I had absolutely no choice in who my surgeon would be or even the hospital I was working with.. had I had I would have chosen someone who meshed a bit better with me. So I'm just doing the best I can. Anything at all that I modified (which wasn't much) I did have cleared by my primary care physician who is pretty knowledgable about bariatric surgery. And I'm in counseling every week. I'm not necessarily looking for an enabler - just for someone who won't judge me or scold me for choosing to do what other surgeons reccommend compared to my own in certain instances because had I had my choice at all I would have chosen one of the surgeons who I meshed with better. Hopefully that makes more sense.

So I'm Beck. I'm 25 and have been overweight most of my life. I started considering gastric sleeve last June and have done a great deal of research. I successfully did all the things I was supposed to do and am now scheduled for May 31st. I could really use a mentor to keep me accountable and help me as I go through this process. I am bipolar 2 and have anxiety disorder and social anxiety disorder so I know I won't be able to do real life support groups so seeking out help here is the best thing I can do for myself. I feel more comfortable making friends online anyway.

That said.. I'm looking for a mentor who has an open mind.. I have always been the sort to kind of march to the beat of my own drum. I question things, I make up my own mind about things and don't tend to blindly follow what I've been told. So far I've been pretty successful with that strategy in life.. and it's just who I am. What that means is that I may not always approach my WLS the way some people would or always do -exactly- what my surgeon says. Now that's within reason.. For instance I would never not take my Protein or my Vitamins.. I would never not exercise.. I would never not follow pre or post opp diets.. but things like diet pop.. my surgeon says to cut it out but after careful research and hearing from other surgeons that that's not necessary, I may choose to go ahead and have that.. So I need the kind of mentor who can handle the fact that - though I'm usually a rule "follower" there's something I have to be flexible about to make this new lifestyle work for me.. Another one, for instance, is that if I don't have some liquid with meals -- food gets stuck in my throat and I gag because I have a high gag reflex.. so my primary care physician has suggested I just take tiny sips of liquids with my meals to alleviate this.

For the most part I follow the rules.. and I'm super serious about this surgery and about losing the weight and about this being a lifestyle change.. but there are some things I just have to modify for my own sanity and success and I know that because I know myself well.. and I need a mentor who can respect and support that.

My mentor can be any age and live anywhere.

Here's some more about me.

I LOVE animals.. I have a Welsh Springer Spaniel named Riff who I show in conformation and agility trials. She's my world.

I hope to be a published author one day and maybe even make it my career.

I have a degree in English teaching but right now I'm focusing on trying to get a job as a 911 operator because I'm not sure teaching is really where I want to be with the politics in education right now.

I live in Illinois right on the state line by Indiana

I love to bake and cook

I'm a Jamberry nail wrap consultant (ask me about it if you like!)

I love studying psychology and medicine and have a minor in psych.

I enjoy scrapbooking, painting, and photography and photograph editing.

I also play Sims and Neopets (yes I'm a geek and that's okay with me)

I have always had a mind of my own and I've been known to be stubborn but that's also gotten me through some of the hardest times of my life.

Would anyone be interested in mentoring me? I'd like to find one or two solid relationships where we can connect her or on Facebook and talk very often even daily and share recipes and just help each other and that I will be supported even though I know some modification will be in order for my success but for the most part I DO follow the "rules" I feel like I'll do best with a couple of dedicated friends I can turn to.. anyone "want" me?

I am aware this is a hot topic..

My surgeon discourages drinking diet pop but I personally enjoy diet pop.. I've never found it a "slider" food for me on any previous diets.

And I know several surgeons DO say it's okay..

I've heard that surgeons say drinking diet pop will stretch your sleeve. I have a feeling this is a scare tactic either because a lot of docs just don't support diet pop and the artificial sweeteners that are in them or are worried about them being "slider foods" so they just say "Oh it'll stretch your sleeve" If it would really stretch your sleeve wouldn't all surgeons be united in agreeing that diet pop is bad?

I'm basically wanting to hear from people whose surgeons DO agree with diet pop so I can get another opinion on the matter. Why have your surgeons said it's okay.. what do they say to the "it'll stretch your stomach" (myth?) What guidelines do your surgeons give about drinking it.

And also how soon after your surgery did you try diet pop for the first time?

NOTE: If you don't agree with my decision to potentially go against what my surgeon suggests please don't lecture me.. I'm well aware and on most things I follow the rules.. but I'm also smart enough to know that if some surgeons allow it there is a reason and I want to find out and have second opinions and I don't feel that's wrong. I've encountered a lot of hostility here toward people who dare to question what their surgeons say so if you don't agree please just ignore this post. THANK YOU.

Mostly they just ask questions about like.. how much you understand what you're committing to.. that it's a lifetime change that you're okay with all the new rules you have to follow.. That you're emotionally stable and not going to fall apart with all the change. I suppose there are "wrong" answers like "No I won't follow the diet " but for the most part any sensible answer isn't wrong.

How about just standing up without bringing the toilet seat with you because in the few short moments you sat on it, it tried to become a part of you!

OMG .. Wait!? that doesn't happen to everyone sometimes !?!?!

*horror*

For those of you TELLING her to go back and rethink the surgery she already had it done so go back and read that part. I don't think ANYONE is in ANY shape to be advising someone to NOT have the surgery all because they have a LIFE. And while their LIFE may not be OURS or what WE DEPICT to be a life we should still be courteous of her feelings and stick to the topic. She's asking for opinions based in drinking if you don't drink don't answer simple as that! Not being rude but merely giving MY OPINION like most of you are. ☺️ everyone enjoy their day

Thank you and well said Harley.. I know that a lot of the critical comments in response to this are coming from a place of caring about the OP. BUT. I never took it as a desire to have tons of alcohol. I think the OP is worried her friendships will suffer based on the changes. That doesn't mean those changes aren't good or that she won't stick to them... OR that she wasn't ready to get sleeved. All of us have our own unique concerns for life after sleeve. Coming from someone that was horribly bullied all the way K-12 and didn't have friends until college.. if I felt making the right decision for my body or myself might interfere with my friendships.. I wouldn't hesitate to make that decision but I -would- be nervous about if I might feel... left out.. from my friends and my place in the social circle.. I -don't- think this is about an amount of alcohol.. it's about not wanting to lose the place she's identified as hers in her social circle just because she can't partake the way they do...

Hang in there! and BTW I definitely think it's okay for you to have a drink to Celebrate your graduation. Check with your NUT but that's a long way from now and I suspect you will have healed by now that one small drink of your choice won't be a big deal Just remember : Moderation and keep it in check and you'll do fine!

Good luck at school this year!