I have reciently decided to explore the option of Lap Band in helping me loose over 100 lbs. I have an orientation seminar next month. I have met people who have gone through bypass surgery, they state that you cannot have carbonation. Stating it "stretches" your stomach. If I have Lap Band, will I ever be able to enjoy another beer? Will I have to give up my addiction to diet soda? I love caffeine and need it quite often. Can I drink my morning coffee? Help. I am trying to cut down on the caffeine intake now to see if it is possible to give it up forever.

Yeah carbonation is tricky. At first my doc said no carbonation at all..then about 6 months after surgery the nutritionist said one a day is okay as long as u sip it slowly. Although I have to admit that sometimes I'm bad with this and end up having to PB a gas bubble up..cause yes its painful as hell if it gets stuck. I can still burp just sometimes. I got kind of bad with it fell into the same old habits..drank too many. Now I'm focused on just one a day and lots and lots of water. If you can give it up entirely..good for you..it is the best way

I have no problems with carbonation. I have no problems burping, lol. I've had the Band for 5 years and I have great restriction, so I'm not worried that my pouch has stretched. I do find that bottled or canned carbonation is "stonger" than fountain drinks, and I never liked it that strong even before banding, so I often shake up my diet coke bottles if I have one and gently let the bubbles out. It's true that the sweeteners in diet drinks are not healthy for us. For that reason, I try to limit it, not because of the carbonation. Just remember, that they do use the same sweeteners in Crystal light and other low/no calorie non-carbonated drinks. Hope that helps. And like the others said, everyone is different. I have a friend who is 8 years out, and has no problems with Carbonation either. She can eat more than me, but can't drink Water and lie down. I can drink water and lie down. It's funny, but it shows we're all different.

Mindy

Hey Mindy... This is off the subject but my oldest daughter is Mindy K... I saw your name up there and of course it caught my eye.. Nice name:)

I gave up all sodas as well and I have to say that I really don't miss them!

Hey Mindy... This is off the subject but my oldest daughter is Mindy K... I saw your name up there and of course it caught my eye.. Nice name:)

That's awesome! Small world!

No diet soda since 8/9/07 and still going strong. I was not able to give up coffee though. I have resorted to coffee most mornings. Only two cups, but I am trying to adjust as is. We will see how it goes.

I relied on diet soda to help me when my stomach was burning. Sounds funny, but it really helps. Water seems to make my burning stomach worse. I think my stomach has a lot of adjusting to get used to.

I am amazed that I dont miss soda's any more.

I gave them up about 2 months ago I havent been banded yet but I know how bad soft drinks are for the body/teeth and your helth. That I thought I would just go cold turkey. I have the hardest time when I order a meal out. It is just habit to ask for a coke. I keep having to correct myself and ask for lite lemonade or a large water.

The hardest for me is going to be no drinking with eating. That is what worries me the most.

For me going from normal to diet sodas was harder then giving up diet sodas. Finding out i was diabetic was when i started drinking diet. But since I am a caffiene addict Giving up diet sodas wasn't hard. 3 months now without soda only flavored waters And Iced tea sweetened with splenda.

Now ditching the caffiene is gonna be the hard part. Ive already cut my coffee down from 4-5 30 oz. cups per day to one. In the mornings to get me going.

I almost had a panic attack this morning thinking about NO DIET COKE!!!!!!! I just had the surgery so it's fresh in my mind what Dr. Ortiz suggests. They say NO carbonated drinks for 6 month and even then drink maybe 1/2 and drink slow. Also, said to only have one every once in a while. I can't wait!

I cannot drink soda at all . no carbonation it hurts bad . i did drink a beer once tho ?? but soda kills me .. good luck . crystal light baby

I stopped drinking diet Pepsi, of which I am addicted to, about a week ago. I just realized that must be the reason that I am so very tired. I've been falling asleep all the time. Plus, I had a splitting headache but I've been cutting out sugars, white flour etc so the tiredness and headaches could be attributed to that too. It shows me how bad these things are for my body. Today, it's been better so I guess I'm getting over it.

no bubbles! if you're getting the band you're going to have to make sacrifices.. it's not easy at all. you have to give up pop and anything carbonated.

I was banded in Mar 07 and my dr also says no soda. I don't drink much, but did have a few mixed drinks at a wedding in July and did ok. As for the soda I probably had two or three a day, but I really don't miss it. I picked up drinking propel and diet ice tea. I go through more of those bottles then I did the soda. I did try to drink a fountain soda in July and was very ill afterwards. So I'm done with that. It's not worth getting sick over. Good luck.

It's been 4 days since I was banded and I haven't had a diet coke. For all you to be banders it really hasn't been that bad. People at work used to make fun of my diet coke habit and I really worried that would be the hardiest part. I did try to get some to go flat incase of emergency, but they have been sitting open on my counter and still have fizz if I shake them. Amazing how much carbonation must have been in there.

I am having a hard enough time getting all the fluid in my Dr. wants me too without caffeine. I am worried a little about working because at home I can nap. I guess I can always crush up a caffiene pill in my water if I have to. Best of luck to everyone.

Elizabeth:)

Just so you are aware Caffiene actualy can make you dehydrated. For every 8 oz of a cafanated beverage you have you should have 16oz of a non caffinated beverage.

I had an issue with being severily dehydrated because of my soda intake. I have since given up soda completly. Just be careful.