I gave up sodas in mid October. I was banded beginning of November. I have noticed on the boards a wide variation on the soda issue. Just curious........

Has your doctor ever said "yes" or "no" to soda, and has he or she ever given reasons why not to drink it? (Band related reasons, I mean. We already know it is high in sodium and not great for us, unfortunately!)

For those of you who join me in a (painfully hard!!!) soda free lifestyle, can you share what you drink instead, other than Water? I myself am a big fan of Diet Lipton Green Tea with Citrus. I put it in the freezer until it is a slushy consistency. Oh yeah, it's my favorite post band treat!!!

I asked my doctor his opinion and he said that I could drink sodas with no problems. He said just not to gulp them. I had the same question and everyone has a different answer or thought on the subject so I went straight to him.

My surgeon and nutritionist both say no.

I'm a Water drinker anyway, so it has yet to bother me.

Although I do crave carbonation. Even a carbonated water...

Outside of water I'll have Fruit2O. So far that's it. I did buy some Crystal LIght 2 Go flavors, and some Wyler's. I'm allowed juices but the ones I like have too many carbs or are citrus, which I can't do yet.

If you like tea, add just a bit of peppermint extract and some lemon juice. May sound like a weird combination, but it's divine.

my doctor has never told me no sodas, but she has discouraged it saying they have no nutritional value. I drink crystal light, tea, mystic juice, water, smoothies, and yes sometimes i'll have a drink of my DH's soda. I've actually found after being soda free for awhile that they are too sweet.

My doctor told us not to drink sodas, mainly because it could cause a lot of pain.

I will admit that I DO drink them. I just don't gulp them, it takes me about 2-3 days to drink a 20oz bottle of soda. I have no problems as long as I go slow and burp as I go.

Thats the only thing that my sergeon says NO, NO, NO, NO AND NO to it, he said you might eat or drink whatever you want every once in a while. Except drinking carbonated drinks.

Like most of you, I was addicted to Diet Coke and Sprite. Now had nothing for the past 2 months, and I think I got over it 100%

If i'm craving a sweet drink to gulp down (like I used to do with the sodas) I drink a fruit juice. I know its full of calories, but at least it won't slip my band like the carbonated drinks

Everyone's doctor says something different. Mine said no soda and I haven't had a soda since surgery. Part of having the surgery is changing the way we eat. My way of eating got me fat .... I now have to do it someone elses way. If that means giving up soda... so be it!

• THE ABOVE MENTIONED STATEMENT IS MY OPINION AND NOT MEANT TO TELL ANYONE ELSE WHAT TO DO ... LOL

My doc said no, but not why. I had a diet soda (I haven't had my first fill yet) along with a too big bite of chicken and sudeenyl there was a huge competition in my gullet between the chicken and the soda. I was trying to swallow the chicken and the gas from the soda was trying to make an exit. They made a compromise and I had the weirdest out of the side of my throat burp ever. Don't ask for details.:omg: