I just find it so terrible that I can never again drink carbonated drinks. What is the reason behind it?

50 minutes ago, apositivelife4me said:

I just find it so terrible that I can never again drink carbonated drinks. What is the reason behind it?

"Never" isn't exactly "fact". That's just what some doctors say.
carbonation can cause gas and bloating issues, can cause dumping syndrome, it can stretch your pouch/sleeve. It also puts extra pressure on the staple line.

That said. I've had a couple of lightly carbonated drinks that were 0 calorie, (BAI makes some) and no adverse effects. The idea is that you don't want to do drinking them daily.

6 minutes ago, Matt Z said:

"Never" isn't exactly "fact". That's just what some doctors say.
carbonation can cause gas and bloating issues, can cause dumping syndrome, it can stretch your pouch/sleeve. It also puts extra pressure on the staple line.

I second Matt's statement and add that most bariatric patients I've interacted with complain of discomfort with carbonated beverages.

I gave up carbonated beverages years ago when I had the lap band and just got used to not having them, so it wasn't too hard to give up for the sleeve.

That being said, a few weeks ago I had a sip of (mostly flat) root beer. I was on vacation and went to an old fashioned food stand that makes their own. It was delicious and I had no problems with the sip.

They say they stretch your sleeve/pouch and give you the killer gas. I don't plan to experiment anytime soon, though on these hot days I am missing my chilled prosecco. Maybe after I get close to goal.

We all know about the warnings. Most folks who have actually researched it know that most of the warnings...stretching, etc.... are kinda....lacking....in facts and evidence.

A lot of people do have the occasional carbonated beverage. The world will probably not end.

I think the big taboo around them with doctors and nutritionists has more to do with the fact that they are empty calories and habit forming. They're just not generally a good choice. Sugary pop, beer, wine coolers.....tons of calories, and little nutrition. Bad habits.

But no...doctors have actually looked at the sleeve diameter of people who have been wildly successful and who have failed terribly...a year or two out.....and there's really no difference. Even if they've been drinking soda. The difference is new dietary habits and new exercise habits.

What destroys people's efforts isn't the carbonation.....it's the sugar and calories. Carbonated beverages are a gateway to screwing up your diet, rebound hunger, and a return to old habits.

A small glass of low or zero calorie carbonated beverage every now and then isn't a big deal. Just make sure to drink it very slowly so there's no chance of distress or stretching. I like lemon flavored carbonated water (0 cal.) on hot summer days.

2 hours ago, apositivelife4me said:

I just find it so terrible that I can never again drink carbonated drinks. What is the reason behind it?

This is a very controversial subject amongst WLS programs. Here is a link to an article that talks about carbonation afterwards, no where does it say that it actually "stretches" your pouch.

https://www.livestrong.com/article/347882-carbonated-drinks-after-a-gastric-bypass/

Caffeine , carbonated drinks cause gas pockets and expand your stomach

7 minutes ago, TropicalBeachDoll said:

Caffeine , carbonated drinks cause gas pockets and expand your stomach

I can see where you might think that about carbonation, because there is some, very little, research out there that says that. But caffeine does not stretch or expand your pouch..... I don't know who told you that, but it's not true. Caffeine is bad for two reasons:
1. Its a diuretic
2. It can delay healing

Amazing. I had three nutritionist say it stretches your stomach--where do they get their information?

I feel like a kid when my parents told me not to turn on the cabin light in the car or we would get a ticket. I only learned in my 30s that was not true they just didn't want me to turn on the light.

Getting gaslighted by the professionals...

I feel that coffee and tea are actually quite beneficial. I talked to my nutritionist about this and she was OK so long as I didn't have any side-effects. I drink about four cups of coffee (black no sugar or sweetener) and three cups of tea (milk no sugar or sweetener) every day.

1 minute ago, YeahOkay31 said:

Amazing. I had three nutritionist say it stretches your stomach--where do they get their information?

I feel like a kid when my parents told me not to turn on the cabin light in the car or we would get a ticket. I only learned in my 30s that was not true they just didn't want me to turn on the light.

Getting gaslighted by the professionals...

there is so much conflicting research about carbonation...who knows what's actually true. I think its up to the individual and the program rules. I personally drink carbonation once and awhile, obviously not daily. It doesn't bother my stomach at all.

1 minute ago, CalGuy64 said:

I feel that coffee and tea are actually quite beneficial. I talked to my nutritionist about this and she was OK so long as I didn't have any side-effects. I drink about four cups of coffee (black no sugar or sweetener) and three cups of tea (milk no sugar or sweetener) every day.

I don't think there is anything wrong with caffeine past the 3 month mark. Once you've completely healed and as long as you are getting your fluids in, and not with only coffee. I drink a lot of tea, but I usually do decaff or caffeine free.

I can see where you might think that about carbonation, because there is some, very little, research out there that says that. But caffeine does not stretch or expand your pouch..... I don't know who told you that, but it's not true. Caffeine is bad for two reasons:
1. Its a diuretic
2. It can delay healing

Nutritionist said it will cause some stretch to your pouch. She did say decaf is okay to have because it’s decaf not caf and that it’s also considered a clear liquid.

Maybe caffeine is okay for you to have , but it’s not recommended.

2 minutes ago, TropicalBeachDoll said:

Nutritionist said it will cause some stretch to your pouch. She did say decaf is okay to have because it’s decaf not caf and that it’s also considered a clear liquid.

Maybe caffeine is okay for you to have , but it’s not recommended.

Yeah, I don't think that's right. May programs allow caffeine back in after the healing process is over. Lots of vets drink coffee, and not decaf. And I wonder why your NUT would say that decaf is okay, but not regular. If caffeine really does "stretch your pouch" then why would smaller amounts be ok? Especially if it counts as a clear liquid, can you imagine if someone drank 8 cups a day...it would equate to a regular cup of caffeinated coffee... Doesn't make a lick of sense. I'd ask for clarification when you return to your NUT. I think you are mixed up with carbonation.

5 minutes ago, TropicalBeachDoll said:

Nutritionist said it will cause some stretch to your pouch. She did say decaf is okay to have because it’s decaf not caf and that it’s also considered a clear liquid.

Maybe caffeine is okay for you to have , but it’s not recommended.

Also, I would not recommend using coffee as your clear liquid in the healing stages. Coffee is a diuretic and can hinder your bodies ability to retain fluids, they don't make a caffeine free coffee, like they do tea. I was told no caffeine until 3 months out, because caffeine does slow your body's ability to heal. Once again, nothing to do with stretching your pouch....