Hi All-

Banded 4 days ago, am doing well.

Question I have is... what is the deal with diet soda? My Dr. is against it, (but I have not had the opportunity to ask him directly yet why??) actually says in the post op instructions that it cam damage the band. However, in the book he provided by a different physician.. claimed that diet soda is fine. Is it something to do with the carbonation? Then that would mean beer would be out too? Luckily, I'm a wine drinker.. haha.

Look forward to your answers..... and thanks in advance!

Its not diet soda.its the carbonation...don't take any carbonated drinks.

Thanks for your reply... I understand no carbonated drinks.. but I am one to question things.. why no carbonated drinks? How does the carbonation negatively effect the band? I am not keen on carbonated drinks now.. but am thinking more long term. If it is gas build up thing then there are ways to deal with that.... but actual damage to the band?

The carbonation can expand the stomach and cause band erosion from my understanding. IF you have diet soda and it's flat you can drink it but remember it's empty calories.

Yea it causes gas in the stomach, besides if you can't eat and drink at the same time it's not a big deal to me to not have soda. I don't really miss it.

Also it's just chemicals which isn't too healthy, even though it's sugar free

Yea it causes gas in the stomach, besides if you can't eat and drink at the same time it's not a big deal to me to not have soda. I don't really miss it.

Also it's just chemicals which isn't too healthy, even though it's sugar free

Thanks for the replies. Everyone has their vices and me drinking soda between meals is my caffeine fix. Do not have to worry about the empty calories as diet soda has none, As far as chemicals, diet soda is the least of my worries at this point, haha .. Will further research the erosion effect it has on the band.. that does not sound promising.

Thanks again Ladies and Happy New Year to you both!

My doctor is OK with diet soda. I did drink it fairly regularly during my first year after surgery, but have lost my craving for it, and rarely drink it now. My doctor is also OK with coffee, as well as alcohol in strict moderation. Actually, water, Crystal Light, coffee, and alcohol are my primary beverages!

Thanks for the additional info L12... I was sure to check that we could still drink alcohol hahaha.. but have heard so many conflicting stories...I was not a 12 pk (of soda) or even six pak a day drinker.. but for sure had a 12 oz once a day. I think perhaps the Drs. use the band as an instrument to change other bad lifestyle habits.. but I could be too conspiracy theory there. Thanks again.

I too was told how horrible ANY soda is. In some of my pre-op group sessions, I would ask why and be shot down. After I had my surgery, I asked my doc what the REAL story is. Bottom line - at least for me - is that any gas from carbonation has 2 exits, so any expanding of the pouch is brief and does no harm. The real reason, from my doc, is that he wants me to change the way I eat and for me, it must include stopping soda - even diet soda. A practical reason, at least in the first few post-op weeks, is that caffeine is a diuretic and getting and staying hydrated is essential. His final words - and this goes for anything I eat - is moderation! (Something the Band will help me with.)

I no longer drink diet soda, I've switched to Crystal Light. BTW, I can not drink water! I can't stand the taste - or lack thereof. I used to drink at least a gallon of Diet Coke every day (2 - 52oz Extreme Gulps from 7-11 during the day and a 2 liter at home in the pm.) and switched to caffeine-free 5 weeks pre-op when I had my colonoscopy. Diet Coke was the last thing I drank the night before surgery. I don't miss it as much as I thought I would. I actually found myself in a situation where I didn't have a drink with me and "had" to drink a diet soda - with no problem.

Hello,

My dietician said that the carbonation can expand the stomach pouch thus making the band ineffective. I was a diet cola addict and completely gave it up post op. I am not going to risk having my pouch stretched out and defeating the whole reason I chose to be banded and all my efforts for carbonation!

Joan

My doctor said that diet soda is okay 3 months after surgery. I loved diet coke and could not imagine not having my 2 cans a day but I have to say that I haven't missed it at all. Down the road I might have one on occasion but it's not something I am going to add back into my daily diet. As for the caffeine, if i need it, I have iced tea with sweetener in it and that seems to do the trick.

I miss my diet Coke and diet Pepsi, but not nearly as much as I miss my sparkling water! I haven't had any at all since my surgery My Dr also states no carbonated beverages unless you leave them sit. Here is my thing with the "it expands your pouch" statement. Prior to surgery I drank at least 4-5 diet sodas a day, does that mean it expanded my regular stomach too? I didn't think the carbonation had that much force inside your stomach to do this. Anatomically and physiologically speaking this confuses me. I just stay away from it period since the Dr said no carbonation. I also can't stand flat diet soda.....yuck! Everyone else is correct that it is just chemicals and it truly doesn't do anything for us health wise at all.

Extraonme, I think the issue is that the pouch is pretty small. A regular stomach is a much bigger area thus has more volume to accept the bubbles of the carbination.

From what I have read, heard at the meetings, and from my doctor I think it is most important to stay away from carbonated drinks for at least 3 months after surgery - this gives your band time to heal and then there is no worry that the gas can move the band, etc. (also keeping you hydrated is VERY important!) After that, though, it is a do what works for you type of thing....me, I HAVE to have a pop in the morning - diet caffeine free - as it is the flavor I love, not the caffeine. I am not able to drink a pop while eating and I don't really miss drinking with my meals at all...

I guess you just have to test it out and see how you do - but definately make sure you are at least 3 months out....and talk to your doctor to get their take on it! (seems they all differ in slight ways!)

Blessings,

Kim

Thanks again everyone from their insight! In doing a little more research on the internet...seems there is basically a negative impact on wieght loss overall involving diet soda...lap band or not. Also, seems there is a average consensus on wating 3 months... seems you are doing great Kim with your weight loss and the one a day has done no harm! Congrats to you!!