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!

I like the idea of spread eagle on a cold operation table John

For me, (and strictly for me), I jettisoned soda. Don't need it, there's nothing redeeming about soda (diet or regular). There's way better and more beneficial ways to get refreshed and re-hydrated. Beyond just soda, I think people miss a pretty important yet simple point.....We are all fat There is no normal in our world. We call it addictions or disorders or what ever. But if we climbed up spread eagle on an cold operating table and let a group of strangers cut out our perfectly functional stomach, in order to chase the holy grail of slimness, shouldn't we do our part to make the commitment to become as healthy as possible? My philosophy is simple...get healthy. If I had been a smoker, I would have stopped, If I was a heavy drinker, I would have stopped. I WAS a habitual drug user and I stopped. I am FAT, so I stopped doing the things that made me FAT. Will one soda hurt, probably not, would one donut hurt? probably not, would a pint of cherry garcia hurt?....who knows. It all starts to pile up after a while. If that soda is the only way that you will be happy in life, by all means have that soda. But ask yourself....."self, is this soda the real key to my happiness?" Probably not.........It's really corny, but in the end it really is true...nothing tastes as good as healthy feels....

You've got your **** together, John Latte!

I like the idea of spread eagle on a cold operation table John

Does paint an interesting picture...

I don't understand the people who have had surgery but can't wait to go back to their old ways. My surgeon and nut gave me explicit instructions in terms of a huge folder of what to do and what not to do. I have even consulted them about my upcoming trip abroad. I have not cheated and have followed things to the letter of the law. I did ask my surgeon about having a glass of wine and champagne during my 25th anniversary dinner, and he approves. I even sent the menu to my nut for her approval and buy-in. After that night, I'll be back on the straight and narrow. However my wife has magnanimously agreed to drink the balance of my wine and champagne and to eat/finish my dinner courses. She said she wouldn't want me to waste my calories. What a women?

At the seminar I got what I refer to as my 'Bariatric Bible' - it isn't just Dr. Davidson I don't think, it is put together by a slew of Center of Excellence doctors that are not "IN" together, but they all preform surgery at Forest Park.....or heck, maybe they are all in together, but Davidson is the ONLY one in his office, the only name on the door. I got my bariatric Bible in April 2010 and it is STILL in the drawer in my bedside table. I like to refresh my memory on things occasionally. If nothing else, I have my weight/dates recorded, I can refer to it when a newbie, someone here, asks me a question. It's priceless to me. The most profound thing said at the seminar was this 'Dr. Davidson wants you to forget the word diet, this is not a diet, it's a new way of life'

I don't think people really think about the reality that you need to also need to make a lifestyle change.. We are a nation of fast food instant gratification people.

We go in get a quick surgery ( oh and then we are surprised it hurts) and come out and expect it to magically work!

"What the f**k I only lost 30 pounds thus month!"

"This surgery is a scam" "I could of done this myself"

We want it NOW! NOW! NOW!

With little or no work! Welcome to the new human race...

Do you mean I'm not going to lose 30 in 7 days while lying around watching talk shows? This surgery really is a scam. I could lose more with one of the supplements sold at 2:30 in the morning.

Seriously, I gave up soda about a month before surgery haven't look back. With the exception of a sip of a drink I made for my wife, I have been drinking Water exclusively. After my anniversary dinner, I'll be back to water.

You've got your **** together, John Latte!

No sir not hardly, I fight the fight every day, and some days are better than others. However, I will always be a fat man, no matter what the scale says. Just like I will always be an addict even though it has been over 20 years since I've dabbled. My years on this planet are winding down, I want the remaining 20-30 to be just as luscious and just as amazing as they possibly can. I got a ton of living left to do, and I can't do that dragging around 100lbs or so of blubbery goo.

Laura, on a serious note, I want to thank you for all of the support and counsel you give to the posters on this forum. It is posters like you, fiddleman, antiband and a few others that have made me trade in my food addiction for a forum addiction.

For me, (and strictly for me), I jettisoned soda. Don't need it, there's nothing redeeming about soda (diet or regular). There's way better and more beneficial ways to get refreshed and re-hydrated. Beyond just soda, I think people miss a pretty important yet simple point.....We are all fat There is no normal in our world. We call it addictions or disorders or what ever. But if we climbed up spread eagle on an cold operating table and let a group of strangers cut out our perfectly functional stomach, in order to chase the holy grail of slimness, shouldn't we do our part to make the commitment to become as healthy as possible? My philosophy is simple...get healthy. If I had been a smoker, I would have stopped, If I was a heavy drinker, I would have stopped. I WAS a habitual drug user and I stopped. I am FAT, so I stopped doing the things that made me FAT. Will one soda hurt, probably not, would one donut hurt? probably not, would a pint of cherry garcia hurt?....who knows. It all starts to pile up after a while. If that soda is the only way that you will be happy in life, by all means have that soda. But ask yourself....."self, is this soda the real key to my happiness?" Probably not.........It's really corny, but in the end it really is true...nothing tastes as good as healthy feels....

I think we all have different definitions of what is going to help us on the road to better health.. Personally, for me my big demon to overcome was WHEAT not soda.. I had to give up wheat and all my beloved concoctions that are made from it. This was a HUGE thing for me, but I HAD to do it and I am militant about it now.. I don't have even a "taste" not EVER... but my two or three a MONTH soda "habit" is pretty far down the list of things I need to change... Honestly, as time goes on, I'd like to eliminate all artificial sweeteners from my diet but I don't see this happening until I reach maintenance and I can increase my carbs and have some FRUIT again. I'd GLADLY trade all the soda and sugar free Jello in the world for half a cup of Thompson grapes!

I said NOTHING was off limits except coke' date=' you know, in Texas, all soft drinks are cokes. <img src='http://www.bariatricpal.com/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' /> I'd like to change that, just because Dr. Davidson said 'NO', that does not make it 'off limits'. It is off limits to me because I CHOOSE not to. Just because I can, doesn't mean I should. Make sense? He doesn't follow me around, he isn't the 'coke police'. For the record, I was a self pay patient, to the tune of almost 13K. I learned 'everything you need to know, but are afraid to ask' at the seminar, which is required.[/quote']

It's called pop.

For the title" maybe with duct tape" lol

For ME (and only me) I have to fight the urge to cheat some days. I don't want to do it, and I have to work hard not to. The sleeve makes it way easier to stay on track - so maybe it is the easy way out, IDK. I generally don't cheat, but once in a while, I have something I should not. I don't come here asking if I should or should not - I already know what to do, it's just whether or not I can. One thing I force myself to do is log it. I really hate to admit it to myself and see it in print, but it helps keep me accountable. As for why people plan to cheat, or even IF they planned to cheat, I'm not sure what drives them, but I know it's a rough road even when you WANT to be perfect. I can't imagine the struggle and disappointment for people who don't have a clue. I feel lucky to have had the surgery, lucky to have healed without major complications, and lucky to have the good sense to make the best of it I can. It's all a gift.

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

It has never crossed my mind about 'getting around' anything. Around what.....I don't like the word "CHEAT" because that makes it sound like pre-op, when we'd cheat on a diet. Nothing bad is going to happen to us if we drink cokes, some may get gassy, some may even be uncomfortable, but we don't get grounded, smacked on the hands. I know I ate a couple cookies too many during Christmas, and I didn't feel good, and I felt guilty. I think so far, I'm pretty darn successful, I've been lucky.....but that let me know, it is a slippery slope and I need to always be on guard. I like it that I can walk away, I like it that I can make a home made pizza, have a piece, my husband have several, and the three left over pieces.....I can throw them in the trash. I KNOW ME, I know I can be tempted, I also know I am pretty good at resisting since surgery, but why have that temptation there. He wasn't going to eat it and pizza is something I really like.....but not often and thank God I cannot eat but one piece, two if they are small. Before, I'd have NEVER thrown good pizza away.

No sir not hardly, I fight the fight every day, and some days are better than others. However, I will always be a fat man, no matter what the scale says. Just like I will always be an addict even though it has been over 20 years since I've dabbled. My years on this planet are winding down, I want the remaining 20-30 to be just as luscious and just as amazing as they possibly can. I got a ton of living left to do, and I can't do that dragging around 100lbs or so of blubbery goo.

John, I had a drug induced backout in the 60's. I suspected that during that time I was cloned. I now suspect that you were it.

You sound just like me.

John, I had a drug induced backout in the 60's. I suspected that during that time I was cloned. I now suspect that you were it.

You sound just like me.

I consider that a great compliment! Thank you!

Do you mean I'm not going to lose 30 in 7 days while lying around watching talk shows? This surgery really is a scam. I could lose more with one of the supplements sold at 2:30 in the morning.

Seriously' date=' I gave up soda about a month before surgery haven't look back. With the exception of a sip of a drink I made for my wife, I have been drinking Water exclusively. After my anniversary dinner, I'll be back to water.

[/quote']

I already tried the laying around thing and I can say by experience it doesn't work!

Soda? I gave it up over a year ago before I even thought about surgery and I don't miss it. Before that, I was at a point of buying a case of diet coke every week! It should not be part of anybody's shopping list!

Laura' date=' on a serious note, I want to thank you for all of the support and counsel you give to the posters on this forum. It is posters like you, fiddleman, antiband and a few others that have made me trade in my food addiction for a forum addiction.[/quote']

Thanks, you know I can relate to everyone on this forum because I am (was) fat and unhealthy because of my lousy eating..

I know what is like to want food, yes even bad food! I understand the person who wants cake or fast food in "moderation" because hey it sounds good in theory! But I know reality is a different animal.

so I chose not to.