BuzzVSG

To me, this post is less about the diet coke and more about the deep seated fear and guilt associated with consuming certain foods and beverages, as described in your finishing sentiment "I kind of am still scared of food but I am trying to overcome that."
Where is this guilt rooted? Why do we have such damaging relationships with food? In my experience, both pre and post op, I've been plagued with thoughts of "why couldn't I just have one" or "I shouldn't have let myself eat that." There are so many layers to the issue that need to be peeled back and examined: prior trauma with weight issues, Dr.'s orders, cultural norms.
Consider reading this article that I found helpful and uplifting discussing how you can rebuild your relationship with food. It might help you feel less afraid the next time you decide to pick up a diet coke, or anything else you might want to enjoy.
https://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-8258/11-steps-to-rebuild-your-relationship-with-food.html
Congratulations on meeting your goal!

Hahahaha, that was a good one.

I gave up sodas many years ago, but I can't say that I haven't indulge in one or two over those years (BF would say that since he's known me I probably have drank 100 over the course of our relationship - 3 years... LOL).
From a surgery standpoint, I won't drink it now just because I'm soon post op, but I will say when I feel cruddy, there is nothing better than a seagrams ginger ale. And I suspect in the future should I feel that way, I will reach out to old faithful.

It's not that it will "stretch your new stomach" it's that it goes down easily allowing you to consume more food. And this only happens if you drink during meals (and honestly if you do that it doesn't matter if it's carbonated or a flat beverage).
@BuzzVSG, glad you were able to enjoy that J&C. Congratulations on being so close to goal. Keep up the great work!

Good for you!

Even though it is ingrained in our brain that carbonation is the devil, I tailgated today with some friends and had a diet coke and some Jack Daniels. I poured a little bit of the soda in a cup to sip to see if there were any adverse effects, I didn't have any. I nursed that drink over the course of an hour and was ok, nothing happened. I almost feel guilty for doing it. I am about six months post of and one pound away from my personal goal. I kind of am still scared of food but I am trying to overcome that.

Eh... i asked my surgeon about alcohol and carbonation post op and she told me you have to live your life. If you think you will never have anything sinful you’re just setting yourself up for failure. She also said carbonation is fine for some and hard to tolerate for others, but it’s not harmful to your pouch. She said there is a lot of misinformation out there on the topic, many times used as scare tactics to keep people from drinking full sugar soda.

Unbelievable how judgemental ppl get. Enjoy your diet coke.

I drink beer wine and bourbon and no problems and no regrets. I exercise a lot to make up for it n

I have a small glass of Sprite zero almost every night, and I am 5 months out. I have no pain or weird feeling from it, but it does make me burp if I dont let it sit out for a minute, lol.

Sent from my SM-G960U using BariatricPal mobile app

So yay! I thought this was a judgement free site. Silly me for thinking I wasn’t going to get condescending comments. If you were actually paying attention I am actually one pound below my goal. But thanks for your input

So yay! I thought this was a judgement free site. Silly me for thinking I wasn’t going to get condescending comments. If you were actually paying attention I am actually one pound below my goal. But thanks for your input

So yay! I thought this was a judgement free site. Silly me for thinking I wasn’t going to get condescending comments. If you were actually paying attention I am actually one pound below my goal. But thanks for your input

Even though it is ingrained in our brain that carbonation is the devil, I tailgated today with some friends and had a diet coke and some Jack Daniels. I poured a little bit of the soda in a cup to sip to see if there were any adverse effects, I didn't have any. I nursed that drink over the course of an hour and was ok, nothing happened. I almost feel guilty for doing it. I am about six months post of and one pound away from my personal goal. I kind of am still scared of food but I am trying to overcome that.

I love this- now go create a tinder account asap and keep flirting lol.

Ever since I can remember, I have been the "fat guy". That is what I was known for. I never took my shirt off at a pool or a beach, ever! That is something I want to change though. So, my best friend who I graduated high school together has always been much slimmer, popular, girls flocked to him; I sure you get the drift. Although we have been friends for over two decades I feel he never took me seriously because of my weight. At parties, clubs, bars, social situations I was always the one who was ignored and not payed attention too. Well, he moved out of state and we see each other about twice a year. He has a very stressful job and as a result has been emotionally eating and gained a significant amount of weight. He is one of the few that know that I had my surgery and he is very supportive. We saw each other for the first time in over a year last week and guess what...drum roll.....I weigh less than him. He even made a comment on how I was flirting with the waitress at the restaurant we met at. It felt like I was in his shoes for once. It felt truly that the tables have turned.

Ever since I can remember, I have been the "fat guy". That is what I was known for. I never took my shirt off at a pool or a beach, ever! That is something I want to change though. So, my best friend who I graduated high school together has always been much slimmer, popular, girls flocked to him; I sure you get the drift. Although we have been friends for over two decades I feel he never took me seriously because of my weight. At parties, clubs, bars, social situations I was always the one who was ignored and not payed attention too. Well, he moved out of state and we see each other about twice a year. He has a very stressful job and as a result has been emotionally eating and gained a significant amount of weight. He is one of the few that know that I had my surgery and he is very supportive. We saw each other for the first time in over a year last week and guess what...drum roll.....I weigh less than him. He even made a comment on how I was flirting with the waitress at the restaurant we met at. It felt like I was in his shoes for once. It felt truly that the tables have turned.

Ever since I can remember, I have been the "fat guy". That is what I was known for. I never took my shirt off at a pool or a beach, ever! That is something I want to change though. So, my best friend who I graduated high school together has always been much slimmer, popular, girls flocked to him; I sure you get the drift. Although we have been friends for over two decades I feel he never took me seriously because of my weight. At parties, clubs, bars, social situations I was always the one who was ignored and not payed attention too. Well, he moved out of state and we see each other about twice a year. He has a very stressful job and as a result has been emotionally eating and gained a significant amount of weight. He is one of the few that know that I had my surgery and he is very supportive. We saw each other for the first time in over a year last week and guess what...drum roll.....I weigh less than him. He even made a comment on how I was flirting with the waitress at the restaurant we met at. It felt like I was in his shoes for once. It felt truly that the tables have turned.

Congratulations on your NSV! Nice to have moments like that

Ever since I can remember, I have been the "fat guy". That is what I was known for. I never took my shirt off at a pool or a beach, ever! That is something I want to change though. So, my best friend who I graduated high school together has always been much slimmer, popular, girls flocked to him; I sure you get the drift. Although we have been friends for over two decades I feel he never took me seriously because of my weight. At parties, clubs, bars, social situations I was always the one who was ignored and not payed attention too. Well, he moved out of state and we see each other about twice a year. He has a very stressful job and as a result has been emotionally eating and gained a significant amount of weight. He is one of the few that know that I had my surgery and he is very supportive. We saw each other for the first time in over a year last week and guess what...drum roll.....I weigh less than him. He even made a comment on how I was flirting with the waitress at the restaurant we met at. It felt like I was in his shoes for once. It felt truly that the tables have turned.

Harley owner here. I find it so much easier to ride longer distances with having back pain from the extra weight. I find myself being able to maneuver so much easier (backing into spots, k turns, etc).

Well, I am officially below 200 lbs. I simply cannot believe it. It almost doesn't feel real to me. I never thought in a million years I would accomplish any weight loss goals let alone get below 200 lbs. I have gotten a lot of good advice from members on here and I want to thank you all. Although our journeys are all unique they all revolve around the same basic premise, changing our lives for the better.
I still have so much work to do such as working out harder, coming to terms with the new me I am striving everyday to be better. I ask myself, why didn't I do this sooner? I had a great day today.

I am still a work in progress. First pic I was about 286, second pic about 202.

I am still a work in progress. First pic I was about 286, second pic about 202.