Hi! I am being banded in 10 days (yippee!) and am on day 5 of a liquid diet. I feel like everything is going ok, but I have completely had to give up diet coke and feel like that is the hardest thing to do so far. Has anyone else gone through soda withdrawal (diet or otherwise)? Does it get better? Thank you .

Yes, it does get better--I promise.

I withdrew gradually, over the month or so before my preop diet, though it overlapped the diet a little. I was HARDCORE--drank an amount that now embarrasses me, and had since I was a kid. But now I live very happily without it.

I am amazed at how much money it saves, too. Between giving up diet soda and giving up Starbucks, it's made a huge difference for me.

Good luck--you can do it!

On a hot day (I work outdoors) I can (could!) drink upward of 2 gallons of Diet Coke per day...and have for years. I started each day at 7-11 and filled two 52 oz Extreme Gulps and would refill them. In addition, I would drink a 2 liter at home.

I "realized" I was in trouble when I found out that bubbles and caffeine were on the no-fly list. I took the opportunity of having a colonoscopy 3 weeks ago to break the caffeine habit and am working on breaking the bubbles habit.

I have always told people that I was allergic to Water, but I am much more allergic to being fat, so I'll figure it out in time for my 11/10 banding.

I drank TONS of diet pop....caffeine free, mostly...as it is the flavor and carbonation that I like, not the caffeine. I have found now, though, that I will drink a pop maybe once a day, but I don't crave it like I did before....and I drink a lot more Water. The wired gurgling sounds carbonation can make are funny....and you definately cannot drink it with food or else you are asking for trouble.

If you can give it up entirely that is great - as it will save you money! I am definately a recovering addict - as I don't have it running thru my veins like I used to! LOL

I had already weaned myself off of soda before my surgery, but let me tell you, an icy Cherry Coke Zero is the only thing I have craved since my surgery.

My name is Vivian (everyone: Hi Vivian) and I am a (regular) coke addict. I love love love love love coke. I used to drink it mostly during my meals. I had to give it up for my pre-op diet which wasn't hard because I wasn't eating just drinking my liquids. HOWEVER, I never really got a chance to practice the "don't eat and drink" rule. I've always been one that has had to drink and eat. :/ SO, I will be having a crash course on what that feels like. Wish me luck! lol

Good luck with the withdrawls I'm sure it'll get A LOT better.

I am most nervous about giving up diet coke. I'm so addicted. But I also know that I can do it! It's going to be so hard.

Me too! I have my initial consult this afternoon and am probably going to have surgery in October (eek!)

I have been weaning off the diet coke since early last week. I am down to 1 12 oz can or so each day. It has been so hard, but I know it will be worth it. Cold turkey would have killed me, I think.

When I started researching lapband surgery and found out I had to give up my diet pepsi I was scared that would be the one thing I could not do because I drank about a 6 pack or more a day. But I did, I had a 12 pack in the fridge and decided when they were gone I would not/could not buy any more. I cut back to 2 per day one when I got up in the morning and one with dinner. Then I went to just one when I got up and when they were gone when only took about 8 days I went cold turkey. That was almost 2 months ago. I am not a coffee drinker so not only did I beat the soda addiction I also beat the caffeine addiction.

I drink water only now.

I worried about that too, and it has not been too difficult. At first I would try a little bit, but it would make me so uncomfortable that i just wouldn't want it anymore. Now I don't even think about it. I drink propel by the case, from Sam's club though, so i guess I just traded addictions! :thumbdown: