I'm 9 days post-op and have been having a really tough time of it. Hard to get fluids down, hard to drink those stupid Protein shakes. I so miss my Diet Coke - some people smoke, some people do drugs, drink alcohol - I do none of that, I just like my Diet Coke.

So today, I took one of my caffeine free Diet Cokes (when home, I always drank caffeine free), opened the bottle to let out some fizz, poured it over ice in a glass, and took small sips. It was like drinking a little glass of heaven. No stomach upset and I feel almost like a normal person again. No caffeine, lost a lot of the carbonation, and when the ice melts down, I'm even getting some extra water!

It's amazing how this diet can make a person so miserable at times, but the little things we took for granted before can make a world of difference now with just a little modification (I would chug all fizzy from the bottle ).

@CraftyV' date=' I won't either! I did modify my Starbucks so I get. Light latte with skim milk and sugar free syrup! At least I'm getting in 10 grams if protein! Let's go have a coffee sometime:)[/quote']

What a wonderful idea! I haven't had starbucks since my surgery.

The tall with skim milk has 10 grams of protein! Sometimes if I'm not close to my protein goal, I'll pick one up!

Go back and read the earlier replies to my original post, those are the ones that got me defensive.

Diet coke is not a sensible choice, but at this point it was a lifesaver. I've been miserable. Gag at Protein Shakes, sick of Water (which I don't really like to begin with). I'm tired, I'm weak... I miss my life. That soda gave me a little sliver of normalcy back. I wasn't seeking validation or criticism, I was just saying how it was amazing that one sip of normal life made me feel so much better.

And why does everyone think I'm a guy? I'm definitely not.

I haven't posted anything yet,,so please don't yell at me but your photo,,looks like side burns so I personally thought you were a dude,,my bad.

I haven't posted anything yet' date=',so please don't yell at me but your photo,,looks like side burns so I personally thought you were a dude,,my bad.[/quote']

Just put the picture up late yesterday, and haven't been called a dude since, so I guess you're just kind of intentionally trying to be a d-bag. That's fine. Overweight people tend to be angry and nasty to other people, especially when on a diet, me included. It is, however, mighty brave of you to put up a full face shot when you look like... that.

I'm 7 months out and I've drank diet pepsi quite a few times. I'm not thinking it stretched my stomach,,I hold the same thing now as I did when I first got sleeved. I think everything in moderation is the key. MANY will disagree with me..and that's ok. I had surgery so I could still eat what I like but not a ton of it. I can have 1 cheeseburger for 3 meals instead of 3 cheeseburgers for 1 meal.

Just put the picture up late yesterday, and haven't been called a dude since, so I guess you're just kind of intentionally trying to be a d-bag. That's fine. Overweight people tend to be angry and nasty to other people, especially when on a diet, me included. It is, however, mighty brave of you to put up a full face shot when you look like... that.

Nooo,,I really didn't mean to say anything to hurt your feelings. I shouldn't have said anything,,my apologies. I was just trying to validate why some may have thought you as a dude,,open mouth,,insert foot.

Just put the picture up late yesterday' date=' and haven't been called a dude since, so I guess you're just kind of intentionally trying to be a d-bag. That's fine. Overweight people tend to be angry and nasty to other people, especially when on a diet, me included. It is, however, mighty brave of you to put up a full face shot when you look like... that.

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You're intentionally being a d-bag now. There is nothing wrong with how she looks.

Peace Queen: with all you have been through and the kindness I have seen you imparted in all of your posts, you didn't deserve that comment. You are beautiful inside and out, and don't orget that.

It's ok,,I had it coming,,I really didn't mean to say it like that though. I just couldn't see her face well. I do apologize and when i read my comment back to myself after I posted it,,it was too late to delete it. I sounded so not like myself.

I was intentionally trying to be a d-bag and for that I apologize. Knee jerk reaction - seems out of left field for someone to comment on one's appearance, especially here, when we've all had that shared experience of being overweight and somewhat outcast because of it. I immediately thought she was just trying to be a jerk, so I responded in kind.

I do sincerely apologize Peacequeen and appreciate you reaching out to do the same.

No problem, LT,,thanks

I too have an addiction to soda - full sugar Pepsi, Coke if that's all that is available. Love the feel of carbonation on my tongue plus the sugar & caffeine combo keeps me going some days/nights. I also find it interesting how many of us share this addiction. Because I personally worry I won't be able to handle "sips", (pre-op, scheduled for 9/25) I am gonna quit ONE MORE TIME. Starting next week...

As for all those artificial sweeteners' date=' that's exactly what's in a lot of the substitutes that our doctors and NUTS are telling us to eat and drink now. Going through the literature from the hospital NUT, they even say to use those substitutes in place of regular sugar.

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Yeah, I totally don't get this. All the diet Crystal Lights and crap are the same as diet Coke.

Not being so fat anymore is certainly healthier, but sugar substitutes don't automatically mean healthy lifestyle.

That being said, rock on Diet Coke drinker.

I'm actually thinking about going to the farmer's market and getting some free range chicken instead of the store bought stuff. Can't hurt to try it.

I pay triple for organic chicken at the store. It's painful at the checkout, but I dunno. I feel better giving it to my family.

Deep breaths guys =) we all just want each other to be healthy and okay through this healing time. No point in arguing down each other or trying defensive.

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Not me, I ate better than you, followed more rules than you, worked out more than you, and you're a loser. Hahaha!

Just kidding