I am curious to know who drinks soda. I have discovered that the answer to this question depends on who you ask. I had lap band surgery on Spet 27th, 2006, and have not had soda since Sept. 26th, 2006. Personally I am doing well, but i still have cravings of a nice ice cold Diet Dr. Pepper. My surgeon told me not to drink pop, but my followup Dr. here in the states told me that there have not been any conclusive studies done that say drinking a diet pop will cause any negative effects on lap band patients. Does anyone have any advice to offer? Do you drink soda? If you do, how much? Or did your Dr. tell you not to drink soda? I look forward to reading the replys!

I can't drink a soft drink from a bottle, but I'll occasionally get a fountain drink. They seem to go flat faster. Otherwise, the hiccups are dreadful.

I was banded in Sept. 2006. So far I've lost 50 pounds! WOO-HOO!! My docs said to stay away from the sodas (I LOVED my diet Coke, especially at work). I've had maybe 3 or 4 since surgery and the only "problem" was burping the carbonation. I did not, however, drink straight from a can or bottle - the sodas I drank were over ice.

since surgery *august 2005* i have literally only had soda like 2 times. I only have it very rarely and only if thats the only thing i can drink @ that time. I prefer unsweetened Iced tea and water. Some crystal light too.

I haven't had a sip since the surgery. At times it has been hard, but I am able to say it is one of two things I have not had in 16 months (the other is steak . . . I'm simply too afraid to try either).

Does anyone else drink wine??? I feel I may have chosen a replacement "evil". I have a glass of wine almost each night.

I know . . . empty calories. I consider it a treat.

I haven't had a sip since the surgery. At times it has been hard, but I am able to say it is one of two things I have not had in 16 months (the other is steak . . . I'm simply too afraid to try either).

Does anyone else drink wine??? I feel I may have chosen a replacement "evil". I have a glass of wine almost each night.

I know . . . empty calories. I consider it a treat.

I don't drink wine but once every four weeks I allow myself to go out with my crew after work right before our 7 days off and I drink between 1 and 4 kahlua's and cream. Definately empty calories and a lot of fat but it hasn't impeded my weight loss yet. I also consider it a treat.

I am pretty proud of myself. For the first time in my life, I've gone a month without soda. I battled my addiction to Mt. Dew.. fought the headaches.. Even in the past during dieting, I always allotted enough calories for me to have 1 a day at least (and it worked!), but I knew carbonation was bad for the band, doctor told me NO cokes, so a few weeks before surgery I quit cold turkey. I have finally aquired a taste for water (I never thought the day would come), and even though my fiance still drinks the dew, and its all over the house and I have to step over the cases.. I have not be tempted!

I gave up soda during my liquid diet phase last summer. I do take a sip once in a while as I miss the taste. I did drink some down a few months back,and it was NOT WORTH THE PAIN. So now its just crystal light and sugar free Kool aid. So if I must have some, just a couple swallows,and that's it!

Anybody try Champagne yet?

I am not a soda drinker, but I do enjoy a few beers every now and then. I hope I can stay away from it after I get banded?!?!

I had my first diet soda about 1 month after banding, and found that it worked best to swish it around in my mouth a little before swallowing, to get some of the air out. Before surgery, I drank 2-3 32oz. or larger REGULAR sodas per day. Now I have one 12oz. diet soda per day, just for the flavor of it. When I first let myself have the soda, I noticed my tendancy was to not get all of my water in for the day, so now I make sure I still get in all the water (a gallon a day), or I can't have the soda!

When I first let myself have the soda, I noticed my tendancy was to not get all of my water in for the day, so now I make sure I still get in all the water (a gallon a day), or I can't have the soda!

Thats a good idea. I water my soda down, but one day last week I drank one without water and I had the same issue of not getting in my water. I think I'll try your idea. Thanks.

Not me! I won't drink the stuff and I'm a die hard Diet Coke fan.

Everyone said not to do it. So of course, I had to do it. It's like a wet paint sign. If there is one I have to touch the wall to see it if is *really* wet.

I tried a diet soda and I'll never do it again. It's fine when you have little or no restriction. When you have restriction it's horrible.

Ever pour a beer? See the head it forms? Yeah, that. When carbonated drinks hit your warm stomach it ALL turns to foam. Foam doesn't go through a stoma. Instead you have to wait for each individual bubble to pop while it crawls up your throat.

It isn't fun.

To hell with the notion that it dilates your pouch. The WORST thing it does it climb up your throat and each bubble attempts to gag you and choke you to death.

Thanks wasabubblebutt. I got a great big visual on that one. I will be passing on sodas.