I'm having the hardest time letting go of soda, Before my band, I could easily drink 4-6 cans a day, but, now I am down to 1 and have switched to coke zero. I must admit that I hate water & not big on juices either. For some reason, my soda addiction is harder to let go than the food one. Any suggestions?

Well, I can tell you what kicked it for me. Fear.

When I was in the hospital getting the Lap Band the roommate I shared a room with was in there for a band replacement. Apparently drinking carbonated drinks not only caused her band to slip, but her stomach actually prolapsed up through the band. As a result, she had to have her band replaced and gained back 40 pounds.

That's why I kicked the habit. I didn't go through all this and lose this weight to sabotage myself and my band. It's just not worth it.

Ask your doc if you can let one go flat to get rid of the carbonation before drinking it? The carbonation is the issue with the drink and unfortunately they don't have a water flavoring that tastes like soda, but that would be a good. Maybe someone should write crystal light? They have alcohol flavorings, so why not soda?

If it is the flavor... Shake them up, and let them go flat before drinking.

I was addicted to soda! I NEVER drank water! I would go through at least 8 cans a day! I stopped when I got the band, then 1 year ago I started drinking it again! BIG MISTAKE! I felt like when I was drinking it I had less restriction! I started getting horrible stomach pains after about 6 months, and thought the band had possibly slipped. I went back to just liquids for 5 days and all my symptoms went away. That was enough to scare the crap out of me! I havent had even a sip since then! I HATE water! The only way I can drink it is with crystal light! I love the lemon iced tea! Now I drink more water than is recommended per day! I actually crave it! Maybe give it a try!

Ask your doc if you can let one go flat to get rid of the carbonation before drinking it? The carbonation is the issue with the drink and unfortunately they don't have a Water flavoring that tastes like soda' date=' but that would be a good. Maybe someone should write crystal light? They have alcohol flavorings, so why not soda?[/quote']

Actually there is flavoring that tastes like soda. I buy the bottles of flavoring made for the soda stream and mix with plain cold water. Sure it's flat but the diet root beer is very good as is the diet cola and diet ginger ale. Even the non diet ones only have 35 calories per serving and I find you can cut the about in half and still get a tasty beverage that breaks the monotony of plain water!

Thank you Aqusis, you just made a lot of lap banders that miss their sodas happy .

How much flavoring do you add to how much Water?

Many people do, but it is very risky...especially for people just starting out....

My surgeon tells ALL his patients Absolutely NO...

And yet, he knows I like to have a beer (or 2) from time to time, like at a ballgame, picnic, and whenever....etc....

He asked me a few questions regarding it and how I drink it, what am I doing at the time etc, etc, then he said..... "Ok, but Just be careful"

He told me why he tells all his patients No, and being in the healthcare field myself, I have to agree....better off just saying No...very risky!

I really thought I was going to have a horrible time with this, but I honestly haven't. I tried drinking a sip of my hubs Dt. Dew one day and I thought it would kill me. The carbonation made my mouth feel like it was burning and made my tummy hurt. To get flavor I use Crystal Light water powders and propel and there are several other really good ones.

Thank you Aqusis' date=' you just made a lot of lap banders that miss their sodas happy <img src='http://www.bariatricpal.com/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />.

How much flavoring do you add to how much Water?[/quote']

The instructions say 2 tsp per 8 Oz water but I find, especially with the root beer, that it tastes better with 1tsp in 12 Oz .