I'm doing all my pre-op homework and making healthy changes. Of all the changes: exercising regularly, no snacking, staying away from processed foods, etc., the one change that gives me pause is giving up my delicious Diet Pepsi. I confess that I don't want to stop drinking it.

So I ask...do any of you that are post op drink soda?

I too enjoyed my Coke Zeros to the tune of 2-3 per day. In the 6 weeks since my surgery, I have not had any, and I don't miss them! I do have a cup of coffee in the morning to get me going, but that's it. Geof said that he worried about losing one of the small joys in his life. Well the small joys in your new life will be feeling better and more energetic (without needing caffeine all day long), burning through clothing sizes like a fish through Water, and receiving tons of compliments on how good you look..... Way better than a dumb Diet Coke, no? Good luck to all!

I too enjoyed my Coke Zeros to the tune of 2-3 per day. In the 6 weeks since my surgery, I have not had any, and I don't miss them! I do have a cup of coffee in the morning to get me going, but that's it. Geof said that he worried about losing one of the small joys in his life. Well the small joys in your new life will be feeling better and more energetic (without needing caffeine all day long), burning through clothing sizes like a fish through Water, and receiving tons of compliments on how good you look..... Way better than a dumb Diet Coke, no? Good luck to all!

Awesome! This brought a smile to my face. I'm starting to get pumped.

My surgeon said that soda is fine in moderation. I drink one or two a week, usually over ice. It doesn't seem to bother me at all, but I don't crave it like I used to. Oh, and I use straws all the time.

I was one that had 2 cans of coke zero every morning at work for the caffeine. Thought not having it would be tough, how would I get through the day since I can't stand coffee. Gave it up three weeks before surgery and I don't miss it a bit. I actually feel like I have more energy through the day now.

At my pre-op meetings I was literally shocked that everyone in the room was a diet soda addict. All of us. Most of us, myself included were Diet Pepsi addicts. There is something sinister in that beverage. I stopped drinking it about a year before surgery, except for an occasional restaurant outing and switched to plain seltzer. I loved the fizz. It's been hard for me to go without, but the one sip of seltzer I had since surgery did not feel good going down, so I moved on.

Against my doctors orders, I had my first Dt Mountain Dew 2 weeks post-op. Opened the can and let it sit in the fridge over night. I still take little sips no issues so far. I have been able to drink from a can and bottle without letting it defizz, for the last week.

Keep in mind everyone is different, its what your new tummy can handle. I have literally had no issues with any of the foods or beverages that should have had me bellied over.

Against my doctors orders, I had my first Dt Mountain Dew 2 weeks post-op. Opened the can and let it sit in the fridge over night. I still take little sips no issues so far. I have been able to drink from a can and bottle without letting it defizz, for the last week. <br> Keep in mind everyone is different, its what your new tummy can handle. I have literally had no issues with any of the foods or beverages that should have had me bellied over.

I have also hAd a diet coke and had no problems

I can't believe people still drink Aspartame. All independent studies show terrible neurological damage and health problems. The only thing the FDA required when it was approved (although initially it wasn't) was that it did not cause tooth decay. Nevermind that it can cause migraines, cause neurological symptoms that mimic MS, contributes to obesity... etc. Just craziness.

Guess I'm one of the lucky ones, I can taste artificial sweetners and so far they are all taste like chemicals... even Stevia tastes like dirt to me. I can tolerate Sucralose but even that is starting to cause my tummy trouble.

Since surgery my favorite drink is ice cold Water, specifically Dasani is a favorite.

I can't believe people still drink Aspartame. All independent studies show terrible neurological damage and health problems. The only thing the FDA required when it was approved (although initially it wasn't) was that it did not cause tooth decay. Nevermind that it can cause migraines, cause neurological symptoms that mimic MS, contributes to obesity... etc. Just craziness.

Guess I'm one of the lucky ones, I can taste artificial sweetners and so far they are all taste like chemicals... even Stevia tastes like dirt to me. I can tolerate Sucralose but even that is starting to cause my tummy trouble.

Since surgery my favorite drink is ice cold Water, specifically Dasani is a favorite.

I have to agree with you. I have decided that if I want something I'm going to just have it in smaller amounts and avoid fat free, low fat and diet foods. They are not any healthier just offer less calories and often are less healthy. I came to this conclusion after comparing the ingredients in mayonnaise with light mayonnaise.

I find that since surgery, my favorite drink is unsweetened iced tea. I sweeten it myself with a half a pack of equal or splenda for a large size. McDonald's has them for a $1.00. It keeps me from getting a caffeine withdrawal headache and I can drink it with a straw without a problem. It's actually the only way I can get my Water in because regular water doesn't taste all that great to me anymore. I haven't tried any soda since surgery- just the thought isn't appealing at all. I get constant bubbles from my stomach to my throat while drinking anyway and I couldn't imagine adding carbonation to that too! I think you'll find that foods and drinks you loved before surgery suddenly lose their appeal after.

Kissifur. I agree with you 100%. I will take the lowfat alternative when it doesn't contain preservatives or additives to make it. Like nonfat milk. But I will use butter not margarine and sugar and honey not sweeteners. What is the point of having this surgery and then dumping carcinogens into your body. So I'll have that soft drink once in awhile. And I'll make sure it's sugar sweetened not with aspartame or corn syrup. :-)

I gave up smoking in January 2013, and in January 2014 I gave up my diet pepsi. Slipped and had a sip of one and I found it to taste too sweet. So just sticking to Water, but can't even flavour it as it is too sweet tasting with flavour. Oh well just getting ready too have my surgery one day.

I was a diet coke addict I drank at least a 6 pack a day. I don't like coffee or tea. Found a water that has caffeine in it. It's my go to drink I work overnight so I was not giving up caffeine totally. It's called avitae water. You can get it at some targets on line at Office Depot and amazon. Better at Office Depot is cheaper. It tastes just like normal water!

@une nouvelle vi

OMG.....this is me......a diet coke fiend!!!!! Your tips for "kicking the habit are SUPERB!!! I hadn't thought of "tapering off"......thank you for posting these fantastic tips!

I thought about tapering off but decided the pain meds would help curb any withdrawl headaches after surgery. So I drank diet pepsi like a fish up to surgery. lol It was the last thing I had the night before and I'm not gonna lie, I was a little sad to throw it down the sink when I hit my liquids cut off. I was easily a 2 liter bottle a day person.

The plan worked = no withdrawl. And I havent had soda since surgery and havent really wanted it, which SHOCKS me. I love the crisp taste that is lost if its flat so flat soda isnt an option for me. They say tastes change and its true, maybe not right away but they do. After surgery I could drink power ade straight. As time goes things like Powerade zero has to be diluted 3x down. And some people (like my surgeons assistant, who was sleeved) don't like plain Water anymore. I like *some* plain water but im much pickier.

Sometimes I kinda want a little before I eat, but as someone said, its not worth the money before you eat. You can't chug it, and you can't drink it after you eat. I thought not drinking and eating at the same time would be the death of me. Its gotten much easier and I barely think about it anymore. A few times I took a decent drink after eating and the results arne't plesant, so my body doesnt go for it anymore after I eat - and thats just water!! I can't imagine throwing carbination into the mix

I plan to drink soda again but not for awhile. Doc suggested about 6 months after being at goal, so you can see if it has any effect on sleeve stretch or cravings or weight gain.