Okay, I haven't had pop (soda) since February 2009. I asked my surgeon about it at my last appt in November because of all the differences of opinion here. He said it was okay to have once in a while just let it sit a little to get the bubbles out. He said the biggest problem was that I wouldn't be able to burp if I needed to. Well, I had some diet ginger ale on Christmas Eve with no problem. I just slowly sipped at it and didn't have very much. Then last night we had company and I thought I'd treat myself again and I think I got busy and wasn't paying attention and drank too much too fast. Later I got a nauseated feeling that I haven't had since the day of my surgery. My stomach kind of hurts ever since then if I eat anything. I think I'm going back to liquids for the remainder of the day. I'm scared I did some damage or need to get slightly unfilled. Has this happened to anyone, and has the discomfort gone away?

Sounds like things played out just the way that your doc said they might. I seriously doubt that you've damaged anything just by some carbonation....probably just the gas trapping issue. If you continue to have pain / discomfort, then consult your doc, because the doc always has the last word.

Why not just take a couple of gas-x strips to help remove any built up carbonation in your tummy? Might work.

What you are going through is what happened to me and why I don't try soda any more. Like your doc said, I could not burp and it was scary and painful for hours.

Good luck,

Mimi

It is probably trapped gas. Please re-think this issue of drinking soda. Is it really worth the chance? It isn't for me.

Thanks everyone. For me, I will not do pop again. I honestly thought since I asked my surgeon's advice before I tried it, and since I was well past the 6-month waiting period he recommended, I was okay. But for me, no, pop/soda is not worth the pain, discomfort and potential damage to my band. This is my first bad experience with my band and I'm glad I can say it was a learning experience but one I don't care to repeat.

I did call my surgeon's office this morning and she advised me to do liquids for a few days and to treat my tummy very gently. I think it is trapped gas from the carbonation and 2 days later it is still there. She said by Thursday I should be feeling better and if not to come in and she'll take a little Fluid out to relieve some pressure.

Live and learn....

hope you get to feeling better soon. When i just couldn't pass up the urge for soda, I shook it up first to get some of the air bubbles out.

New Woman,

I hope you're feeling better soon - and thanks for posting, I've been thinking about soda lately, and now I think I'll continue to pass.

P.S. your avatar is so adorable - is that your dog?

New Woman,

I hope you're feeling better soon - and thanks for posting, I've been thinking about soda lately, and now I think I'll continue to pass.

P.S. your avatar is so adorable - is that your dog?

I get quite a few compliments on my avatar. No, it's not my dog. I just happened to find this avatar. I do have two little Maltese dogs (Romeo & Juliet) though and the picture reminds me of my babies.

Today I am feeling much better, still not 100% so I'm doing the liquids today too, but big improvement from the last few days. Honestly, the pop is just not worth it. I don't care if I shook it up or tried to let it go flat after this experience I wouldn't risk it.

Okay, I haven't had pop (soda) since February 2009. I asked my surgeon about it at my last appt in November because of all the differences of opinion here. He said it was okay to have once in a while just let it sit a little to get the bubbles out. He said the biggest problem was that I wouldn't be able to burp if I needed to. Well, I had some diet ginger ale on Christmas Eve with no problem. I just slowly sipped at it and didn't have very much. Then last night we had company and I thought I'd treat myself again and I think I got busy and wasn't paying attention and drank too much too fast. Later I got a nauseated feeling that I haven't had since the day of my surgery. My stomach kind of hurts ever since then if I eat anything. I think I'm going back to liquids for the remainder of the day. I'm scared I did some damage or need to get slightly unfilled. Has this happened to anyone, and has the discomfort gone away?

All I can say is that I drink pop all the time...and I don't let the fizz out bc that is what I love about it. It has never given me any trouble. I burp just as easy when drinking pop as when I am drinking Water.

I really haven't had too many problems with drinking carbonated beverages, I try not to drink pop because of the calories, but I do drink the flavored water. Anyhow, I guess it depends on the person. Good luck!!

It was just gas pressure. I have NO PROBLEM burping. I burp all the time, LOL...more than I ever did before the surgery. I drink a little soda now and then and if I don't give it a chance to go a little flat, it can give that feeling but, at least for me, a healthy burp fixes it. I'd say a Gas-X strip or tablet (they are tiny little gel caps) would fix it.