I had surgery on 5/11/2015 and the book that my surgeon and support nurse gave me told me to avoid carbonated beverages for the first and second stages of my post op diet due to the air. Will I ever be able to drink them again? I really enjoy the zero drink and the ICE drinks that don't have sugar and carbs in them.

ask your dr. mine says No Carbonated drinks Ever, No Straws Ever, No gum, No drinking while eating. No Ibuprofen. I have not had a soda in 2 1/2 years but in all fairness Soda was never my issue. doesn't bother me to not drink while eating, you get used to it but I paid my Dr. good money for this surgery, I follow his rules . But, your Dr. is your person who will guide you through your process.

Thanks for the response. He told me about everything that you listed, but was not clear on the carbonated beverages and never mentioned the gum. What is wrong with gum?

I did not start drinking carbonated beverages like soda and beer, sparkling water....until about 3 years after surgery...

By then I knew my band well enough to detect the slightest of warning signs.

He did not want gum because if accidentally swallowed it could become stuck requiring surgery to remove it. I personally was never a gum chewer I trust him completely so if he advises against it I will take is advice.

Carbonated drinks can expand your stomach.

I was also told not to drink carbonated drinks. I was a soda drinker prior but was on 6 month plan due to insurance requirements so that was one of the first things i started to eliminate. I still crave a diet cola with certain foods but don't want to stretch out the upper stomach or cause any problems. I have had a few sips of my husbands diet soda but very small sips and slowly. I have learned to like ice tea and crystal lite lemonade and those are my go to drinks. I also drink water with lemon slices a lot. I figure there is nothing in a diet soda that is really good for me anyway.

Just out of curiosity, have you tried to drink a sip of soda post surgery? I am 14 months post WLS and it is SO uncomfortable to drink anything carbonated that it hasn't been difficult to wean myself off soda. I lived on diet Dr. Pepper and Coke Zero before and my new addiction is now vitamin water zero dragon fruit. My tastes have also changed. Soda just tastes like carbonation to me now. It doesn't have the same flavor.

I drink carbonated drinks. Can't remember when I started post-op, maybe a couple of months out. I always let it settle a bit begins drinking, my doctor is fine with this

Just goes to show you how vast and different certain issues can be....there is no right or wrong.

There is however, YOUR Dr. and his/her treatment plan for YOU, so YOU can finish/complete this process successfully.

I know there are things my Dr. knows I do, and don't do, because he knows ME and what I am able and not able to do.

The next patient may be entirely different.

Thanks for all of your responses. I haven't tried drinking any at this time and it will probably be a while if I ever decide to.