I was originally going to have the lap-band surgery, and it was made quite clear that I was never to have carbonated beverages . I ultimately decided on the sleeve (obviously) and had the procedure on Wednesday. I was just wondering if the carbonation rule applies to all WLS, or just the lap-band?

I'm five days Post surgery. I asked my doctor before leaving the hospital if I could drink diet coke once I was healed. He said I could try it but I will probably find I don't like it anymore. I was banded before converting to the sleeve and I drank diet coke all the time with no problems. I probably drank 3 or 4 a day.

The info I got from my dr and nut is that the problem with diet sodas is they have artificial sweetners in them and they slow the fat metabolization in your body

Thanks so much for sharing about carbonated beverages! I am 4 days post op and I have been imagining drinking a Coke Zero in my mind quite frequently. In addition, I was perplexed about the NEVER eat rice, Pasta, or potatoes rule that my physician tries to enforce.

I am hoping that proportion control and making healthy food choices consistently will allow me some latitude to once in a while eat or drink something I really enjoy. NO longer will I allow the carbonated drinks and processed foods rule my life but I will be more successful if I give myself permission to drink or eat foods I miss eating during the weight loss phase very infrequently. The "all or nothing" approach to eating food (or most anything in my life) is not helpful for me in the long term.

Thanks for listening. Keep up your tremendous progress!

Carbonation fears are overplayed.

It's important to remember that doctors tend to play a "better safe than sorry" role, especially when it's regarding non-essential, empty calories like soda pop.

But as Tiffy pointed out, the part of your stomach that's left is the least stretchy, most muscular bit. It's supposedly similar in texture to football leather (don't know if that's true, but it's what I've read) -- think about how many sodas you'd have to drink to seriously stretch a pigskin!

I had a glass of beer at 3 months out. Aside from having almost zero capacity (I went from a "can down a six pack easy" guy to one glass and I'm DONE!) and burping a LOT, like every two sips, there was absolutely no pain or discomfort or problem.

I've actually never been a soda drinker, think it makes my mouth taste nasty and my teeth scummy so my question is about other carbonations. I love mineral water which is often carbonated and since alcohol is out during the first few healing months it would be nice if I could have a club soda with lime or something when out with friends. So is the big worry over carbonation because of soda-carbonation and its empty calories, or is it over the tiny bubbles? I'm a month out and yes I will ask my surgeon but, soda water - thoughts, comments?

I have an occassional diet ginger ale with no side effects other than feeling full, and of course, burping. I am 4 months out.