I simply cannot understand going under the knife, having 85% of your stomach removed and a few months (or less) later, asking....."How long before I can have a soda?" That's simple, never. Or at least you never should. At the seminar I attended prior to surgery, I knew cokes were the ONLY thing he said NO to, no as in not in six weeks, six months or six years. I know there are some that cross that line, but why? I quit smoking fifteen years ago, a bad habit, an addiction, just like soft drinks are for some people. I have never wondered or considered going back. I did not stop smoking, just to start back up again a few months later. I was not a 'coke' person before, so the thought of NEVER drinking a coke again, that was not a deal breaker. I maybe had six cokes a year, and I had 'rules'.....crushed ice and out of a fountain. I can't believe anybody can think it's a good idea to consider this, I went into starting this new life knowing that I'd have to make lifestyle changes, changes that I can make because it is much, much easier to resist when I need to or want to, but my new life has a new look, besides wearing size 4's and 6's....the new me weighs every morning, religiously. When at home, I weigh and measure my food. I log my food on line. I make it a point, when I'm measuring a half cup of cottage cheese, I don't quite fill it to the top of the measuring cup. Almost but not quite, I under eat my sleeve, meaning I stop before it is filled, it is way more comfortable this way. I hate that 'Thanksgiving' full feeling. I am not deprived, I eat anything I want to eat, but there are things I CHOOSE not to eat, at least not often. Seriously, when it doubt, err on the side of caution, it's a slippery slope we are walking on. Failure is NOT foreign to any of us. It's easy to get in the gutter and not nearly as easy to climb back out. Ok, 'nuff said. I'll quit preaching!

Great comment! I worry if someone starts down the "can I find a way around this rule" so early in the process.

____________________________________________________________________

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

OK, NtvTxn, I erected a flame shield for you. You're safe. :ph34r:

____________________________________________________________________

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

OK, NtvTxn, I erected a flame shield for you. You're safe. :ph34r:

Dang! And I was just about to go get the popcorn and watch the show!

Even though I agree with most of what you said.......everyone's journey is different. Sometimes it takes people longer to understand what they have/should do regarding eating. I don't judge anyone for this reason.

NtvTxn- I really love this post. I can't help to shake my head at some people on the forums and in the chat room that complain about gaining weight or not losing and when you ask them what they are eating you just want to slap them. I get asked what am I doing right to lose the weight and all I can say is doing what I was told to do and working out. Eating pizza is not on my list of things to eat.

I have seen at least 2 posts on the forum in the last month about soda. When I go into the topic people are saying to drink diet soda but shake it up first to make it flat. WHAT???? really???? How can you tell someone to drink soda at all after doing the surgery.

I did the surgery for me and my future family so I am worried about myself at the moment and know what I need to do. But I can help to feel bad for wrong advice given on the forum by people that have no right giving out advice.

Also people if you have to ask if you can have something its most likely going to be a no. Don't make a post saying my doctor said I can't have this but what do you all think. But nothing you doctor says no do do it period.

sorry for my rant but I am tired of it to.

John

Even though I agree with most of what you said.......everyone's journey is different. Sometimes it takes people longer to understand what they have/should do regarding eating. I don't judge anyone for this reason.

Thats why insurances make you wait and take classes before surgery to make sure you are ready. If you are going to have major surgery like this and don't do your homework beforehand and fail sorry its your own fault.

3 years ago I looked into the surgery and backed out 3 months in because I wasn't mentally ready and didn't think I was mature enough to do what I needed to do. I waited and came back after I felt like I was ready and couldn't do it on my own. So its hard for me to pity people and say its ok when its not ok and they need to get their **** together.

John

I still have a root beer now and then. I love the flavor. It's diet and my Nut said to stir the carbonation out of it. I've given up so many other things I've enjoyed but if I can continue to enjoy root beer this way I will.

I will say that my surgeon states at his seminar that you can eat/drink whatever you want but that you need to learn to have it in moderation. That you have to figure it into you calories for the day and not have it in addition to everything else. So if you want that soda every now and again or that piece of cake you can have it but you make sure it fits into your daily allowance of calories. Not saying that I will but different doctors say different things.

Thats why insurances make you wait and take classes before surgery to make sure you are ready. If you are going to have major surgery like this and don't do your homework beforehand and fail sorry its your own fault.

3 years ago I looked into the surgery and backed out 3 months in because I wasn't mentally ready and didn't think I was mature enough to do what I needed to do. I waited and came back after I felt like I was ready and couldn't do it on my own. So its hard for me to pity people and say its ok when its not ok and they need to get their **** together.

John

Well you are just the poster child for success!!!!!! Good for you.

I personally have had to deal with temptation. I have succumbed once and ya know what I got back on the wagon. This surgery is not easy and it even harder then I thought. It's a daily struggle. All the coaching in the world could not have prepared me for my daily battle with food. However I am getting stronger everyday.

I do understand all points of view and it is not my place to judge ot to call people stupid. I was not raised that way.

To each their own?!

I play a drinking game.

Every time I read a post here about drinking soda, I have to gulp a shot of vodka. Try it, it's fun.

And I'm just kidding.

Sent from my iPhone using VST

Agree with above poster different doctors say different things. Mine says soda is fine after 3 months out - and its actually written in my nutrition plan to shake out the fizz if u have problems with the gas. I personally dont feel the need to drink it anymore but I dont see the diet version being a massive problem to be honest. I personally have not cut any food out of my diet - everything in moderation

I will never again drink soda. I've not had it in 9 months and if I can do that then why would I give in now? I was so addicted to mt dew that at first I had nightmares about drinking it. In the dream I would forget that I had given it up and I would take a drink. Then I would realize I shouldn't drink it and I would freak out in my dream! I only have that dream once in a while now but I figure if I'm so addicted to something that I have bad dreams about it then I need to always stay away from it!

Well you are just the poster child for success!!!!!! Good for you.

I personally have had to deal with temptation. I have succumbed once and ya know what I got back on the wagon. This surgery is not easy and it even harder then I thought. It's a daily struggle. All the coaching in the world could not have prepared me for my daily battle with food. However I am getting stronger everyday.

I do understand all points of view and it is not my place to judge ot to call people stupid. I was not raised that way.

To each their own?!

Yes I agree it is hard and had had times where it was hard. But I would get up walk away have some water and be fine. I left a party about a month ago because the pizza was getting to me. I didn't give in I got up said my goodbyes and left.

No one said the after surgery would be easy but they didn't say it wouldn't be hard either. I am not perfect but I did do my research and spent a lot of time looking up things and reading. I think people are jumping into the surgery without doing this hoping for a quick fix and failing because of it.

My successes come from my hard work and will power not from chips and fast food.

John

There is new study evidence linking carbonation to sleeve distention, but correlation doesn't yet mean causation. I think they need more studies before they can say definitively that carbonated beverage intake stretches out the sleeve, or how much intake puts you at risk of distention. My surgeon advised me no more soda after surgery and I intend to abide by that, not just because of the studies, but because I find even diet soda to be, somehow, addicting. I will go months and months without it and then pick up one can of diet coke, drink it, then march down to the grocery store for a case. It's better to err on the side of caution, especially since I know soda is something I can live without.

That being said soda is not the only food/drink item we should be distancing ourselves from after surgery. I am opting to not eat trigger foods at all until I can be sure I have gained enough will power to enjoy in moderation. I agree that this surgery/lifestyle change is something you have to be ready for. This is why I'm glad I didn't do it when I was younger because I wasn't settled in my life. I was in college, then traveling internationally for work, etc. It wouldn't have worked. But that's me. Being "ready" means something different for everyone.

I think this all brings up an interesting point about pre-surgery preparation and post-surgery support. Fortunately, in my case, my doctor was adamant about a very thorough pre-surgery "reality prep" - we had to attend the support group meetings BEFORE surgery, so we could get a clear picture about the realities of life AFTER surgery - I heard all about the dumping, the sliming, the potential for regaining the weight, how easy it is to slip into bad habits, slider foods, the need to get into a good exercise routine, gateway foods, difficulties with going out to eat or going to a party (and how to handle it), etc. That was on top of the psych eval, nutritionist, and classes put on by the surgeon (all required!). I also have had excellent post-surgery support with continued visits to my doctor, and required attendance at monthly support group meetings. What I find REALLY concerning is the number of people choosing to go to Mexico for surgery, where they don't get the same kind of rigorous pre-op preparation or post-op support. I think that without these elements, the chances for long-term success would be questionable - although I know there are people who do it and are totally fine.