Some of my friends who have had the surgery still drink diet cokes, carbonated drinks - I personally haven't since my surgery in December - I was told not to drink anything carbonated - does anyone know the reason why we shouldn't drink carbonation ?

Thank you for all of your comments! I love the fact that each one of us has a unique experience but can help each other. I discovered this app by googling that I thought my band was too tight - I have learned so much from reading all the comments - I'm hooked!

My understanding was that soda stretches the pouch. But now that very one is talking band slippage too it's just one more reason to stay away. I am not a huge soda drinker so it is a non issue for me. I did read that if you need the taste then flat soda is fine.

Question' date=' I my doctor said it was ok for me to have the crystal light drinks, but does anyone know if that goes for the other single serve packet drinks like kool-aid, or other generic drinks?[/quote']

I drink them all.I keep packet if crystalite wriglers brand and koolaid.all sugar free with sweetners.I've given up my 6-8 cans a day of diet coke so that is my replacement.probably not the best choice but in my mind a compromise.:-) also I usually on drink them obce or twice a day instead of the 6-8 with DC.I drink a lot of Water.

I have ordered 3 sodas since being banded and with all 3 orders I have drank a total of about a 1/2 cup.I am a karaoke junkie and don't drink alcohol so if I go to a karaoke bar that does not have iced tea or lemonade I order a diet coke but usually just sip at it.I don't drink it otherwise but like I said in my previous post I try to keep drink sugar free drink packets.

I don't drink pop/soda. I just want to add some flavor to my Water by using the kool-aid single serve drink packets. By the way I am doing the pre-op Atkins diet. Surgery date is June 5th

Unless the kool-aid is sugar-free and/or artificially sweetened, I'd say no. I've been told one sure way to sabotage yourself is by drinking juices and sugary beverages.

I do miss Diet Coke a bit, but I'm going to try to follow my diet and avoid carbonation... for a year! Most of the DC addiction is gone, though and gassy carbonation bubbles sound uncomfortable.

I was told I could have it as long as I could tolerate it.. I choose not to have the soda b/c (for me) it was too addicting. I was a BIG soda drinker (one bottle right after another 20oz bottle). I was told I could have all the SF drinks I wanted and now a big SF kool-aid drinker. To mix it up I drink the flavored water by Nestle or Propel.

My doctor said crystal light, sugar free koolaide is fine.

I drink them all.I keep packet if crystalite wriglers brand and koolaid.all sugar free with sweetners.I've given up my 6-8 cans a day of diet coke so that is my replacement.probably not the best choice but in my mind a compromise.:-) also I usually on drink them obce or twice a day instead of the 6-8 with DC.I drink a lot of water.

So nice to hear someone else had a 6-8 can of diet coke a day habit. I am not banded yet and working on quitting it all together (easier said than done). Any suggestions?

I drink about 1 eight ounce soda a day. I need the caffiene...

This is a hard one for me as well. I love root beer. It's a lot harder to stop drinking sodas than it was when I quiet smoking

The surgeon recently told me that carbonation causes your stomach to stretch. The nutritionist confirmed this as well.

I used to drink soda most or two most days, but since I stopped, I can't do it anymore. It's almost painful and it makes me feel bloated, like another person said. I would steer clear, honestly. Plus it's bad for your teeth, if nothing else..:

My doc NEVER said sodas cause slips!!!! I can drink a soda but I drink more ice tea or water. I cannot drink soda from a bottle or can. It must be in a glass with ice. I take small sips, can't gulp, but certainly am able! Doc said no sodas because most cannot tolerate them. but he said he has seen many patients come in drinking soda and they were fine.... So he was ok with that. But slips???? I disagree.

At least.... My doc has never implied slips would occur by drinking sodas nor that my pouch would stretch.

My surgeon and nutritionist said the same stretches the pouch causes gas pain and is generally not healthy I am happy not to take the risk