I am not banded yet but I think things will be moving along pretty quick now since I just got financing (self pay) for it through my credit union. Anyways, I am trying to change some things before hand and one is to stop drinking Diet Coke. I have drank Diet Coke since I was a child and it is literally the only things I drink. I never drink Water. My addiction is so bad that when my stomach is unsettled or I am throwing up, the only thing that can settle my stomach is a few sips of Diet Coke. If I were to drink water at that moment I would start throwing up again.

I have half way attempted to stop drinking it before but did not last past the first day of headaches. Anyways, I am on day 3 right now and I just woke up from my sleep due to a horrible headache. It can only be described as a migraine. I have taken some meds and have an ice pack on my head. The ice pack helps quite a bit because you focus your mind on the ice cold ice pack touching your skin... somewhat anyways.

NO ONE can tell me that Diet Coke is not addicting. I do not have kids of my own but I have two Nieces and Nephew that I take care of and live with me and I never let them have soda. I can tell you that my other niece who is 3 drinks it all the time and cries if she does not get it.

I can't wait to be rid of this horrible habit. I also can't wait to save $$$$$ doing so : ) It is part of the financial justification for having the Lap Band done. I figure that I spend at least $60.00 a month on Diet Coke!!!! Well now that $60.00 will be going towards my $388.00 a month payment for Lap Band.

Okay.. back to the original thought. What tips do you have?

My withdrawl lasted about 3-4 days and was done. I too drank A LOT of soda and even coffee everyday. Now that I had my surgery and haven't had soda since November 2012 I don't miss it. After all the headaches and crankiness during my withdrawl stage there is no way I would go back. Good luck with your surgery!!

Do you have your surgery date yet? If not, why not slowly wean yourself off. Start with 3 a day for a week, then 2 a day for the second week, then 1 a day, etc. You are probably also experiencing withdrawal from aspartame.

Also, try to make your water more appetizing and accessible. Keep a bag of lemon slices in the fridge and have a water bottle around all the time (I like my camelbak 32oz bottle with a bite valve). I find that if I put a fresh lemon slice in it daily and keep topping it off with ice, I will drink water like crazy!

You've come this far in breaking your addiction, so don't go back and start over! The headaches should only last 4-5 days, so you're almost done. Try drinking Crystal Light if you can't stand water. BTW, if you are a coffee drinker, you can have decaf coffee, but not to an extreme. The name of this game is going to be balance in everything. We cannot be extremists and accomplish our goals. Breaking the habits now before surgery sounds like a smart thing to do on your part! Hang in there - start weaning yourself off sugar as well by using natural sweetners. Believe me, this is all a process that doesn't come overnight. Good luck to you - it will be well worth what sacrifices you are willing to make to become healthy again.

If you are on day 3 of no DC, then you are all most over the hump. Tough it out.

Taking vitum b-12 and magnesium will stop or at least help headache. My daughter had headache everyday for yrs and many doctors later tried b-12 and they stopped that next day. trade of with heat then ice for the headache I like hot showers hitting my head then a nap with the ice. Good luck this will end soon stick with it , this is a hard one. I like Snapple but limit 2 a day you might want to look into that

I know the headaches are bad, but they will pass and you will be free of your addiction forever! I drank 2 glasses of sweet tea a day and when I had to stop before surgery, the headaches were horrible, but after 3 days, they were gone. You can do this!! I'm sorry your headaches are so bad, I think we've all been there.

I agree crystal light is my life saver! Granted it has sucralose which isn't the best for you. I asked my surgeon and he said any non calorie or low calorie flavor things are fine. It will get easier! I think my last drink if soda was on 07 and I was a true diet coke addict!!! You can do it!!!

Thank you for all of the encouragement and tips! This morning was horrible and so I switched between my ice pack and a bag of frozen peas up until about an hour ago. With the ice cold compresses on my head it is not half bad. I am just thankful I do not work so I am at home and can do this to make myself comfortable.

As of right now I am headache free which I did not expect. I definitely have NO plans of turning back now. The odd thing is that though I would love to drink some Diet Coke right now I am not truly desiring it like I normally would. I do think I will try some flavorings for my Water.

Thanks again!!!

The best tip I can give you is water. It will help wash the toxins away. Plain old water and lots of it. Try tylenol for the headache .

Hang in there food vs life. i too was big on dt. mountain dew. I quit ALL carbonated drinks...EVEN BEER!!! the day I met with dietian month n half ago. Doing good but still drink walmart version of christal light. And lots of plain water. Cant really say I feel any better though. Hang in there...You can do it.