Hi guys,

Alright. I'm a cheater. I have been told absolutely NO carbonation whatsoever when it comes to my band, but unfortunately I have failed miserably. I have carbonated beverages, but it's not a daily thing. My favorite drink in the world is Coca Cola, and unfortunately it is carbonated. I'm actually drinking my first Coke in a while as I type this.

I've been drinking carbonation and I really haven't noticed a change in my band capacity at all. The doctor said that it would "stretch" my pouch, but I have experienced absolutely no noticeable change whatsoever in my pouch's capacity. I have also seen so many differing opinions on this. Some doctors say carbonation is awful, some say not. My mother got the sleeve and drinks carbonation as well, with no change in her capacity. So, what do you guys think about carbonation?

Remember, this isn't a daily thing. It's a few times a week and most of the time it's Diet Coke. I know it's "empty calories" and when I do drink carbonation, I try to avoid those calories at all costs. But sometimes, I just really want regular, calorie-laden, sugar-infested Coke!

What do you guys think?

Elizabeth

I had this problem also. I switched to Crystal Light drinks mixes. They are very very good. Check out some of their flavors http://www.kraftbrands.com/crystallight/Pages/default.aspx#/refreshing-flavors

I haven't experienced this at all. I was told absolutely NO carbonation before my surgery a year and half ago and I haven't had any. There are rules for a reason and if I don't follow them it will put back the 115 lbs I lost and my surgery will have been for nothing. Please cut back and drink things like diet snapple and green tea. When u get away from it, it is easier. I was a 3 bottle a day regular dr pepper girl and weighed 262 lbs I now weigh 153 and wouldn't have it any other way. Good luck.

Oops I added wrong. Lol!

get u some crystal light

I drink Crystal Light and Diet Snapple mainly. I'm just talking about having a few carbonated beverages when I crave them. Like I said, this isn't something that's every day at all. And "a few times a week" is probably pushing it. It's more like once, maybe twice a week.

I'm wondering if there is any damage to the band. Some doctors say that carbonation doesn't do anything while others say that it stretches the pouch. I wanted to know everyone's opinon on it.

I also notice that if I have a carbonated drink, having ice in it makes it much better. I think it flattens it out a lot and it's actually quite nice to drink. I do that and usually drink it on an empty stomach to keep my pouch from being "inflated" in case what they say is true. I don't get all gassy when my soda is on ice. Anyone else find this?

I am not a believer that carbonated drinks stretch your pouch. I am now a year and a half out, I am below my weight goal at 126lbs. Coke has been the one thing I just couldn 't give up. The nice thing though is that I can open a 12oz coke and it takes me all day to drink it where used to it was up to 3+ Cokes a day! I take small sips because I have to, otherwise it does feel like the bubbles are coming up my throat and I get really burpy. I figure the sipping gives it plenty of time to trickle through. I enjoy my daily coke...don't plan on giving it up. Since I don't drink coffee, I figure it's kinda the same, only with bubbles...and I don't and won't do diet. That one Coke keeps me happy and satisfied and I NEVER feel deprived.

PS- My mother-in-law also has a band, she does diet soda's but shakes up the soda and opens the lid several times to get the fizz out. (basically drinks it flat) Just an idea for those who are worried about their pouch blowing up.

Hi guys,

Alright. I'm a cheater. I have been told absolutely NO carbonation whatsoever when it comes to my band, but unfortunately I have failed miserably. I have carbonated beverages, but it's not a daily thing. My favorite drink in the world is Coca Cola, and unfortunately it is carbonated. I'm actually drinking my first Coke in a while as I type this.

I've been drinking carbonation and I really haven't noticed a change in my band capacity at all. The doctor said that it would "stretch" my pouch, but I have experienced absolutely no noticeable change whatsoever in my pouch's capacity. I have also seen so many differing opinions on this. Some doctors say carbonation is awful, some say not. My mother got the sleeve and drinks carbonation as well, with no change in her capacity. So, what do you guys think about carbonation?

Remember, this isn't a daily thing. It's a few times a week and most of the time it's Diet Coke. I know it's "empty calories" and when I do drink carbonation, I try to avoid those calories at all costs. But sometimes, I just really want regular, calorie-laden, sugar-infested Coke!

What do you guys think?

Elizabeth

I am not a believer that carbonated drinks stretch your pouch. I am now a year and a half out, I am below my weight goal at 126lbs. Coke has been the one thing I just couldn 't give up. The nice thing though is that I can open a 12oz coke and it takes me all day to drink it where used to it was up to 3+ Cokes a day! I take small sips because I have to, otherwise it does feel like the bubbles are coming up my throat and I get really burpy. I figure the sipping gives it plenty of time to trickle through. I enjoy my daily coke...don't plan on giving it up. Since I don't drink coffee, I figure it's kinda the same, only with bubbles...and I don't and won't do diet. That one Coke keeps me happy and satisfied and I NEVER feel deprived.

Thank you so much! Yeah, I don't understand how it can. I can see if maybe there is a lot of food in the pouch and it just sits there, but if it's empty, I think it would just seep to the lower part of the stomach.

And yes! It takes me FOREVER to drink one can of coke. I take small sips and almost "bite" the bubbles out of it. It seems to go down just fine.

Thanks for your help!

I am not a believer that it can stretch your pouch either,

As with any liquids, it will go right past your band straight into your stomach. Never sit and accumulate

in your pouch.

Also, as with any liquids, do not drink with or near the time you have any food.

I gave up carbonated drinks long ago, but even after being banded, I still have a beer or 2 now and then.

Just not with food, and not too much too fast.

Can't and should not digest anything too much and too fast!

I used to be a huge soda addict and drank almost nothing else. My surgeon put such a fear of carbonation into me that I avoid it at all costs. The few times I have drank anything carbonated was accidentally and I definitely paid for it...ouch! It's just not worth it for me.

my surgeon does not recommend it it's empty calories, but says there is nothing wrong with every once in a while. So no it does not stretch the pouch, believe me i asked! i love cola also and couldn't imagine giving it up forever. I love my band i do not deprive myself of ther things i love just have them in moderation.