So Dr. Spivak's office gave me a pre and post op instruction list to help me make my decision to band or not to. They said my type of UHC typically takes 30-45 days to approve so I should be able (crossing fingers) to make my target date of June 15thish or so.

One concern I have is I notice there is no carb beverages. NO MORE LIME DIET COKE??!?!??! Oh my. I have struggled with drinking 10-12 of those a day for years now. I haven't been able to give up the taste or the caffeine and literally crave them.

What is so special about the banding that gives people the will power that they didn't normally have before? I mean, how can I give something up that I haven't been able to so far???

help! I'm getting scared.....

Ah the age old question that has been asked over and over and over again. I don't know that there is consensus on this topic, so I'll post a few of the threads on here about this subject, perhaps you can check them out and make your own decision:

Threads with Coke in the title:

http://www.lapbandtalk.com/diet-coke-lovers-t31005.html?t=31005

http://www.lapbandtalk.com/coke-drinking-poll-t22906.html?t=22906

http://www.lapbandtalk.com/member.php?u=15552

http://www.lapbandtalk.com/coke-really-off-t30277.html?t=30277

http://www.lapbandtalk.com/diet-coke-t26965.html?t=26965

http://www.lapbandtalk.com/diet-coke-t21201.html?t=21201

http://www.lapbandtalk.com/want-diet-coke-t19796.html?t=19796

http://www.lapbandtalk.com/confessions-coke-addict-t18666.html?t=18666

http://www.lapbandtalk.com/diet-coke-t3464.html?t=3464

Threads with soda in the title (only a few listed, there are tons more):

http://www.lapbandtalk.com/no-diet-soda-t32608.html?t=32608

http://www.lapbandtalk.com/soda-pop-t30051.html?t=30051

http://www.lapbandtalk.com/soda-forbidden-fruit-t22606.html?t=22606

http://www.lapbandtalk.com/any-suggestions-giving-t20516.html?t=20516

http://www.lapbandtalk.com/diet-soda-okay-t20610.html?t=20610

http://www.lapbandtalk.com/soda-drink-not-t16382.html?t=16382

http://www.lapbandtalk.com/diet-soda-t7033.html?t=7033

http://www.lapbandtalk.com/soda-pop-t6067.html?t=6067

Threads with carbonation in the title:

http://www.lapbandtalk.com/proof-carbonation-can-t10880.html?t=10880

http://www.lapbandtalk.com/dr-c-question-t26776.html?t=26776

http://www.lapbandtalk.com/dr-c-questions-t20588.html?t=20588

http://www.lapbandtalk.com/carbonation-t8031.html?t=8031

Hope these help, there's lots of good info on here, and welcome to LBT, it is not a dumb question at all, as you can see, many folks ask it.

I said this before, but healing from the band is a bit like the first day or two after you have the stomach flu. You are not that "into" food or drink and you don't crave stuff you used to crave (at least I don't - been banded for 1 week, 2 days). I used to drink 2-3 diet cokes a day and I haven't missed them at all. I really thought it would kill me. Call me crazy but now, Water sounds better. And I think I am fairly prone to addiction.

But you said 10-12 diet cokes? Have you tried to cut back? Cut back by one per day and see how that goes. Even if you can get to 5-6 per day, for now, that would be a big improvement.

I haven't read the links posted by Jack, but I am not willing to drink carbonated stuff routinely, if it means a possible threat to my band. When and if I get the urge, I will try to let it get flat before I drink it.

Good luck.

I was a true Dr.Pepper addict. I got gestational diabetes when I was pregnant with Mazie in 2005. Because I was responsible for "her" health, I cut back to only one or less per day!! Amazing!! Then after having her- I got the all clear- breast fed her- and man was I thirsty!!! I was up to eight+ a day in no time!! When I decided to get the band... I though I will follow all the rules, except just this one!! As time got closer- I thought why go to all this effort, expense, and just blow it off for one desire? I can still have lots of indulgences, after, but can I not, for myself, my health, my life, give up soda? I slowly "weened" myself from Dr. Pepper to sweet tea/caff. to less sweet tea/half caff. (to avoid headaches, go slowly). Now, I just got my band, and don't even think about soda, and rarely have tea! I think I lost my first ten pounds just from no soda!! I also don't have to worry about finding a way to get my caff. fix!