I am about 1 month and a week since being banded. Today did the worse thing ever ; took a sip of Coke. I am not a soda drinker to begin with but just wanted to satisfy a craving. It felt as if the gas got stuck at the band and I was going to explode. I got so scared! Very stupid thing to do but I wont be doing that again. So if you are thinking of drinking soda, my advice would be don't!

It depends on the person. I drink soda daily (1) and haven't had any issues. I know some do not handle it well.

It depends on the person. I drink soda daily (1) and haven't had any issues. I know some do not handle it well.

I've read that the gas/carbonation can dislodge the band. I'd stay away from all carbonated drinks.

There is some debate about this, but most surgeons say no carbonation after being banded. Soda passes right through the band because it's a liquid, but the carbonation expands below the band and pushes upward against it. This can cause slips.

When I had my Lap Band surgery, the woman who shared the room with me was in for a revision of her band. She had been drinking soda and it not only resulted in a slip but her stomach actually prolapsed up through her band. She also gained back 40 pounds.

I can't speak for anyone else, but you couldn't pay me all the money in the world to ever drink carbonation again. It's just not worth the risk.

I would have to agree with Mis73 on this! I will miss my club soda and lemon wedge when I go out to dine, but knowing how gas can push up (almost like a little explosion) and can possibly force your band to dislocate. I myself would not be taking any chances, water or tea with lemon wedges from now on...

I did try some small amounts of soda, mostly flat but still some carbonation and felt the gas expand. I stay away now. I would rather drink something with too much sugar than risk with the carbonation. I do miss my ciders though....

PattyGirl66,

I definitely know soda is out of the question for me because it did feel as if I was going to explode! I guess it's just different from person to person. Thanks !

Dominitere, that must of been very scary for you, I am glad you are okay! We are all learning as we go along, believe me I am not 100% perfect and I have my little issues too.One is the drinking after eating. I still have a hard time with this while I am suppose to wait for an hour, I make it at the 30-45 min mark. One time I drank immediately after I ate (mushy) food, and it felt like it was just sitting in my throat and I freaked out and drank water on top of it. I had no pain, but I can tell you my belly felt sooooo full! Every meal its a struggle for me to do this and I strive to do my best, even now if I feel like I have to I just liberally sip and not gulp.

PattyGirl66,

I was totally scared! Iam just entering the mushie phase. I didn't know about the waiting time after eating ( I am seeing my neutritionist tomorrow)! I should be getting tips and a menu from her.The clear liquids phase was really hard for me towards the end.

I started drinking sodas and had no problems. Then knowing I was told not to I've quit and have had a soda in about 4 months.

I drink a lot of the Arizona diet teas. Green tea, peach tea and the iced tea lemon ade.

I foun the big cans of tea at Walgreen and cost .99. Great when they have them o. Sale 2-$1.00.

Soda are habit forming. It's the something in the hand or something to drink in the car thing. The teas give me that habit satisfaction.

I started drinking sodas and had no problems. Then knowing I was told not to I've quit and have had a soda in about 4 months.

I drink a lot of the Arizona diet teas. Green tea, peach tea and the iced tea lemon ade.

I foun the big cans of tea at Walgreen and cost .99. Great when they have them o. Sale 2-$1.00.

Soda are habit forming. It's the something in the hand or something to drink in the car thing. The teas give me that habit satisfaction.

Lipton makes an excellent Diet Green Iced Tea, too. I love the mixed berry and citrus flavors. You can buy them in a 12 pack for about $5.

I have heard that soda can stretch your pouch or any carbonated beverage. I stay clear of it but gave been looking at the forum regarding dislodging a stuck episode. Haven't tried it.

I have heard that soda can stretch your pouch or any carbonated beverage. I stay clear of it but gave been looking at the forum regarding dislodging a stuck episode. Haven't tried it.

I would really caution against trying to use soda as a dislodging technique. At one point a few months ago, I was eating a meal and decided to take a teeny, tiny sip of soda because I felt things coming to a halt. It literally felt like the soda caused the food to become stuck and I had a hard time breathing right for a few minutes due to food being lodged and the combo of carbonated drink expanding. Incidentally, this also ended up being my first PB.

As for drinking sodas, I do drink a few diet sodas a week. My surgical practice said as long as you did not suffer the negatives (pain from gas) then you were good to go. They of course cautioned to keep consumption low, for obvious reasons.

Ugghhhhhh maybe I better avoid the soda for stuck episodes or for in general. Thx for advice I'll stuck with my avoid list:( soda does sound tempting but I know it could be a habit I don't want to form.

Dominitere, that must of been very scary for you, I am glad you are okay! We are all learning as we go along, believe me I am not 100% perfect and I have my little issues too.One is the drinking after eating. I still have a hard time with this while I am suppose to wait for an hour, I make it at the 30-45 min mark. One time I drank immediately after I ate (mushy) food, and it felt like it was just sitting in my throat and I freaked out and drank Water on top of it. I had no pain, but I can tell you my belly felt sooooo full! Every meal its a struggle for me to do this and I strive to do my best, even now if I feel like I have to I just liberally sip and not gulp.

Patty...

Try to remember to get yourself properly hydrated before you begin your meal...it makes waiting for the entire hour post meal much easier to cope with.

Best wishes...