Don C

I also use Baritastic, it keeps all the info I want

Hadn't heard from the doctor that I had been approved for surgery on the 19th two weeks from today and thought maybe I should call and see if they heard anything and what is the typical liquid diet timeline for my particular surgeon- all of them are different. We were talking and she said "OH you are scheduled for the 19th your liquids start TODAY" Luckily I have never been a breakfast/lunch guy- so all I had was a shake this morning- the morning and lunch will be easy, I think the nights will be stinkola. I guess I will just have to deal with it.

Okay, few things... I was on Xanax for 15 years (6mg a day) and I was able to just stop and start - no withdrawals symptoms. Some years I was on XR, some the instant release. Do you actually experience dangerous withdrawal symptoms or do you just think you will? Or do you just have increased anxiety?
I was switched to Valium because it lasts longer. I now take 30mg of valium a day (in 3 doses). I take as needed, however, so rarely 3 a day (typically one at night). They are small, like Xanax. Rather than going down in dose since surgery, I have needed an increased dose. I was only at 10mg a day, but another anxiety medication I was taking, Tenex, was causing me to blackout when standing so they had to stop me on that. I did have very severe rebound anxiety after the removal of the Tenex, which is when they increased the Valium.
Pill size only mattered if they were giant horse pills. I had to crush my Potassium pill for a month.
I was also on Ambien CR (the extended release). They told me to switch to instant after surgery, which doesn't help as much, but I did. HOWEVER, I have run out on occasion of the instant release and take a leftover extended release pill and it still works just as effectively. Every body is different, but the extended release may still work exactly the same for you, like the Ambien CR did for me. Can you switch to the instant release Xanax if you are concerned about it? Or switch to Valium because it is longer-acting than Xanax.
I don't think there is any shame on being on a benzodiazepine the rest of your life if it helps. I intend to be on either Xanax or Valium forever BECAUSE IT WORKS. No interest in not taking it and no shame in needing it.

I will drink about 8 oz of soda a day at most, but try to stay clear. I swear Jarritos/Mexican Squirt/etc. have higher carbonation and make me feel worse, though.
Also, I can drink beer without any issues. A lot of beer. Though I haven't tried chugging, funneling, or shotgunning since my surgery.