I had my Gastric Sleeve on May 19, 2015. But in the last 1-2 months I have gotten in a bad habit of drinking more diet sodas than water. I feel like a complete failure as I am afraid I have stretched my stomach and have ruined my sleeve. Can I stretch the sleeve? Also what is the best way to reset your pouch? Thanks in advance!

Jessica

I have not dared to drink any diet coke because I am worried about stretching my pouch.

Following to see what others say.......

Firstly, stop with the diet sodas and just stick with a Water or no calorie drinks. Then get back to basics like in the beginning, which means:

Protein first (lean beef, chicken, pork or seafood)

If you have room, then veggies

Limit processed food and sugar, including the "white stuff" like bread, Pasta, rice and potatoes

Lots of no calorie NON CARBONATED fluids, preferably water mostly

You haven't stretched your sleeve. It's just the natural progression of things to be able to eat a little more as the months go by, not the sodas. But the sodas are obviously causing and issue for you, so they need to go. Protien and water will help keep your sleeve full so you won't have room for sodas

Now get back to your program and get the rest of your weight off! You're doing great!

The can you stretch the sleeve question has been done to death. Basically , yes and no. Over time the sleeve will be larger than it is at the outset of post op. that's the truth and you also will learn to eat more and eat slower etc. so your overall food intake can be larger, BUT it will never be normal or anywhere close to it., and the fundus ( the stretchy part of the stomach) is removed in sleeve surgery, so technically the answer is NO you cannot stretch it past a certain point. That being said, GET OFF THE DIET SODAS, there are a few people here who drink diet soda and they do so on maintenance. Hit your goal first then figure out what works for you. until then Water , flavor it with squeezy flavors, or sugar-free powders or whatever but get off the diet soda. carbonation is not good for you period. Going back to the habits that got you to this point, is horrible for you. Dont give in. You can do this, but you have to make the effort. or else you will fail amd failing at this means you get to be fat AND can't eat much, Lets not go down that slope.

I miss my Coke Zero but 3 months out I couldn't consume two sips of it. It's not uncomfortable for you? I would try to tittrate yourself off of it.

Diet soda is poison. You don't need those kind of chemicals in your body. And the artificial sweeteners they use will stall/slow your weight loss.

Drink Water, drink tea, drink coffee even. Just give up the diet sodas and if you have an uncontrollable urge for soda, at least get a high quality soda that is sweetened with stevia and drink it in moderation. 2 oz and toss the rest.

I miss my Coke Zero but 3 months out I couldn't consume two sips of it. It's not uncomfortable for you? I would try to tittrate yourself off of it.

That was my issue until about a year out. Carbonation HURTS! Then, one day, it didn't. So I started with the diet soda. I figured it was better then eating, so I would grab one when I got a craving.

Like the slippery slope Stevehud mentioned, I was drinking it more and more and replacing it with Water. No bueno.

I'm NOT against it in moderation. I do not believe it stretches the pouch. But as @@OutsideMatchInside said, it's garbage plain and simple. So since I can't seem to even do it in moderation like some, I've chosen to stop it all together again. I need to work on drinking more plain ol water anyway

If Water alone is boring to you, try Water Drops. http://www.shopsweetleaf.com/stevia-water-enhancers/

I use these sometimes when I am bored. The raspberry lemonade is the best flavor imo.

I agree that soda is just garbage. That being said, I do still drink it from time to time (diet only). I pour it over ice and let it sit for a while before sipping since that helps dissipate the bubbles more. It will not stretch your sleeve, but it is full of chemicals and will dehydrate you if that's all you drink and the carbonation can cause issues with gas/GERD if you drink too much.

I can only have a serving if I make it to my Water goals. I can't replace my water intake with soda in other words.

@@FrankiesGirl

If I could drink it like that, I would. But of course, I go overboard with it So no more for me!

I agree with others. There is NOTHING nutritious or healthy about diet soda.

I was one of those people who was so addicted that I thought it might be possible that not being able to kick the habit would keep me from being able to have surgery.

Once I slowly and successfully weaned myself off of all carbonated drinks before surgery I made up my mind that this is one habit I will never have again.

Please do what you can to follow your program for your own benefit. Frankly, if you choose to drink soda it is your decision, but I hate to see anyone miserable due to some lousy, over priced carbonated Water.