I am researching the band and there are two things that have come up that concern me. First - can you take aspirin or advil once you have the band? I was in a car accident years ago and have pain and headaches that require medication. I also have braces and when they are tightened I cannot image not taking advil!

Second - can you drink soda? I am addicted to Dt. Mt. Dew and need my caffiene. I'm not a coffee drinker so this is my only source of caffiene.

Thanks for your help!!!

Darci

Darci,

I am an older lady with the band, and my 20 year old daughter has it too. I want you to know that each of us and every other banded person are different. Some things are alike , some aren't. But in my experience, I cannot drink cold drinks. I was so addicted to Coca Cola that I didn't think I could do the band. Boy was I wrong. I also no longer "crave" it. I can take it or leave it. My daughter, however, can drink it. She also no longer craves it... It is odd how this band works. You will get over the craving if you give it a chance. As far as aspirin, I can take it. But I recently found out that you "never" take aspirin on an empty stomach. I hope this helps you. I have lost 95 lbs. I feel like a different person, and look different too. It is well worth what I had to give up.

Darci, please be careful with the aspirin or Advil! I take Celebrex for arthritis. My dr. recommended taking a Prevacid before taking the Celebrex (protects stomach). You can get RX-strength oral gel. (It's like what the dentist rubs on before an injection.) Start experimenting, you'll find different things that you like to drink. Since banding, I've developed a craving for Water flavored with Cranberry Juice. I keep a big chilled premixed jug in the frig. Helps me get my water quota in.

as far as aspirin goes I would ask your doctor everything is so individual as far as medication.

As far as soda is concerned the dietician at my doctor's office said that the carbonation could stretch out the pouch and defeat the surgery. My personal experience is that soda will not go down anymore, but I feel like that is a small price to pay. I drink tea.

I hope that helps some............good luck