Hi again, just wanted to see what others have to say about carbonated beverages. I understand that I am unable to have them as they could stretch out my pouch but will I never be able to have them again??? I am suffering in "bandster hell" plus I can't have soda? "Inhumane!"I am not a coffee drinker but a Coke Zero drinker and am addicted. The Chrysal Light just isn't doing it. If there is a light at the end of the tunnell I think I could hold out, will I be able to have a pop again ever??

Thanks all and keep up the good work.

Aprilmarie, I take it you didn't try to give it up pre-op? Don't feel alone, there are tons of folks here who are or have had problems with soda addictions. Take heart, you can get through it.

Use the search function and look for threads with carbonation in them, you'll find lots of differening answers and opinions about this. The latest things I've been reading here and on the net say that some carbonation may be possible in moderation, but most agree you should wait six months to a year out before doing it. By then, you've broken yourself of the need, so why bother starting back up again?

I caution you that this is not medical advice, and you should go by what your surgeon and nutritionist say, but there is emerging data that once well healed, a little carbonation is fine. Most every doc I think does say it's fine if you let it sit out and get flat, though.

It's been over two years for me and I do miss my Diet Coke, but I don't miss those 50+ pounds...big smile!

An occassional soda will not kill you. You just shouldnt have it all the time.

I know how you feel. Fortunately for me, I managed to gradually wean myself from my Pepsi addiction about a month before I was banded; before that, I had a terrible two-liter a day habit (that actually sounds awful now!). I also love the carbonated flavored water, but found the non-carbonated is just as good. I guess in moderation down the road it should be OK, but personally, I may pass on it altogether.

I was never a big soda fan, but liked them just fine and would drink my share of Diet Coke. Since being banded, though, I find carbonation just really uncomfortable going down.

Beer and champage, and things like Orangina with very fine carbonation are tolerable. But any sort of regular soda or seltzer is just, ugh. Giving it up was a lot easier than I expected.

I used to drink a 12 pack of soda a day. I did not ween off pre op. I drank one at 11:59 the night before! I had an addiction to say the least! I did not believe the soda stories but when I tried to drink one and was doubled over in pain about 2 hours, I learned my lesson. I just can no longer process carbonation.

Every once in a while, I will have a sip of someone else's soda but the days of a full glass, can or bottle are over for me! It's not as bad as I thought. I get my caffine in coffee drinks and iced tea.

I'm anxious about giving it up. I drink diet, but get tired of water pretty quickly.

I was a hard core Diet Pepsi addict, drinking 3-6 per day. In November, knowing I had the surgery coming up at some point, I gave them up. It was hard, and there are still times where I'll look at a can my husband is drinking and just sigh...but I won't have one. I've come too far to do something that is known in the WLS community as really bad for you.

I am over a yr out and my Dr said it was alright to have carbination so I ran right out and bought some of the walmart waters i was addicted to ( what happened to all the flavors they used to have? I loved the grapefruit...) and i found i have a hard time drinking them. First i have already found I can't drink iced cold drinks and if I let some of the fizz out I am better. I can see I won't be getting addicted to that again!

Being fromTexas I had a Diet Dr. Pepper addiction. But once I decided to have the WLS my DH and I stopped drinking the sodas. I miss it sometimes..but I really missed have some 7-UP when I have a upset stomach--7-UP in my family is like homeopathic medicine ha ha

Anyway, you can do it!

Take Care!

regarding carbonated soda (I am a BIG diet coke fan), could you try letting the cabonation out and drinking the soda flat? I spend many, many hours at my desk studying for my nursing courses and often find myself grabbing the soda can left on my desk from the previous night. Once you get used to no carbonation, the soda isn't all that bad!

DollyRose "back away from my soda can..."

ok, ok so soda is all BAD but I love my Coke Zero too! and I must admit I have about 1 a week...but not good to have I hear in the early stages post surgery...I am almost 2 years in remember..hehehe

becky