I'm new to the forum and sure this subject has already been discussed, but here I go anyway. I was a diet coke addict, and was banded September 2nd. I have not had a single drink but I'm wanting one so bad I can taste it. Is there anyone out there that is still drinking carbonated drinks while banded and what did it do to you?

Don't go back. It was the hardest thing I have ever did to give up diet coke but I did cold turkey. I still miss it. Put a drink in your mouth keep it a minute then spit it out, you will not want it anymore. It is not good for you or your pouch. I am still looking for something to replace it 15 months later still have not found it. Nothing as good as diet coke!!

Some people drink it but my doctor and many doctors say no way.

Cheri

What about letting one go completely flat then drinking that? I wonder if that would be ok?

I have a friend that had gastric bypass and says she does drink the flat ones and she doesn't think it has hurt her, but I'm not sure if there is a difference between bypass and band as far as carbonation goes.

Mine said no carbonated anything because it can over time lead to pouch stretching and erosion. Bummer, because I am having a hard time letting go of my Monsters!

Please don't try it. Even letting it go flat is no guarantee there isn't some occult carbonation lurking.

Many doctors think that drinking carbonation after banding can lead to pouch dilation and from there into slips.

That being said, I have had a sip or two of DC, but only twice in 19 months. No way would I try to drink a whole one, I love my band too much. I have had nightmares where I'm drinking a DC and I look around and I'm sitting in my doc's office. too funny.. lol

I was a long-term, die-hard addict preop, and haven't gone back. When I've had a sip or two to swallow meds (out with family, needed something fast, they had drinks and I didn't sort of situation), it has tasted horrible to me.

By the time you've gotten through withdrawal, chances are that you'd just say, "Bleh. This is what I've been craving?" Because it really is kind of gross.

(And the carbonation is really uncomfortable, even after just a sip.)

Totally not worth it.

Just wave bye bye to your old friend Diet Coke, try a replacement I do Powerade ZERO,its a coke product minus the carbonation.............its not good for you or your band. You don't need a poll to make the decision in your best interest.Talk with your Dr. and let the explanation be enough for you to make a education decision.

Keep on truckin' the no DC path! You've kicked the habit and the risks are not worth it. I would almost guarantee that it would not taste as good as you think it would anyway.

Giving up Diet DP was my nemesis and really the one thing I thought would be hardest, but the longer I go without it, the less it appeals to me.

The day of my surgery there were 2 patients having 2nd surgeries because their bands had slipped. Both admitted that the carbination is what caused the problem. The man was drinking beer daily and the woman was still drinking soda. Hearing them was enough to make me swear off diet coke and champagne. I'm happy to give up both of those things in exchange for being thin an healthy, though I do admit to missing the champagne when many of my girl friends were having mimosas at breakfast the other morning (I ate 2 scrambled eggs and that was it for me). It takes 30 days to break a habit. I'm sure once you get past the point you won't miss it any more.

I replaced my diet coke habit with unsweetend iced tea. I get the caffine that I so need in the morning and it has no calories and actually has some health benefits. I make my tea weak, as I perfer the light brew iced tea. I also try different tea's to spice it up every now and again. My favorite is the TAZO black, ice tea. I make it at home or buy it from Starbucks when I'm out and need a drink. Yummy!

RSL

Thanks for all your comments. I think you have definitely talked me out of even thinking about trying it. I did swish a drink of dc in my mouth the other night, but got so afraid of what it might do to me I spit it out. Too much to risk so I'm definitely through with Diet Coke.

I'm a newbie Bandster (October 19th), but staying away from carbonated beverages was one of the first things my Dr. talked to me about during my consultation. I was a Mountain Dew addict and when I walked out of the office that day and I told myself that was it - that was in July. I had 1 sip a few days prior to surgery and I almost couldn't even swallow it. Don't even go there. Best of luck!:thumbup:

The day I got banded (6 months ago) was the day I gave up Diet pop. I was definitely addicted and craved it for a while... but I have stuck to my decision and I know my health is better for it!

I too was addicted to DC. (Once an addict...) I had to go on a clear liquid diet in September for a colonoscopy and had to go 2 days without DC. The headaches were crazy-painful. I soon realized that I was going through withdrawal from the caffeine. Knowing I was going to have to give it up anyway for the Band, I switched to caffeine-free DC. I don't like it as much, so I've been drinking less and less of it. By 11/10 (my banding date) I'll be off completely.

I have spoken to my doc and nurses about carbonation and have researched it online for months. As far as I can tell, one of the biggest reasons to stop drinking DC is that its an old habit. It was something we did while eating the bag of chips and/or the triple Whopper. It was our friend through all of our bad eating habits. Alcoholics should avoid bars, we should avoid DC. (And all the places we used to "sin".)

FYI...When I say I was addicted, on a hot day, I could easily go through 4 or 5 52oz DC's from 7-11, during the day, then another 2 liter at night.

I was a diet coke addict for a very long time. And I had to give it up after surgery..wasn't too bad bc I xouldnt have anything rieally bc I was healing and didn't want anything. I'm 3 yrs post op and I have a few mouthfuls every now and then when I crave it. My dr said its not good but a tiny bit would be ok. I would not recommend drinking more than a tiny mouthful every once in awhile. Like I said it doesn't bother me when I do..plus its only like once a week or 2..but I wouldn't wanna chance it with any more than that.