I am six weeks post op. Before surgery I was addicted to diet coke. I pretty much only drank diet coke. Love the taste. I know I am not supposed to drink it for several reasons. The bloating and caffiene being the most important. I have not been brave enough to try it since I have already had trouble with acid reflux. I was wondering if anyone could share their views on carbondated drinks. Has anyone experienced bad things? Has anyone found that they can drink diet coke? In moderation of course. Any advice would be appreciated.

I gave it up after surgery but then I starting drinking it again but only 1 a day. After my 2nd fill I can't drink anything carbonated because it hurts going down so no more for me. I miss it terribly but the band is worth it!

Yeah I had the same situation. At first I didnt understand why we couldnt but then they demostrated why we shouldnt and what it can do! So I stopped but then after my 3 fill it hurt terrible going down when I tried a sip. So now I dont even try!

I can handle it, I cant gulp it like I once did.

I'm not fond of fizzy drinks anyway so I hardly ever have it.

I can't drink carbonation at all. At most, I think I've had maybe 5 sips in 2+ years. The negative effects, including pain, are such that I don't crave it anymore at all. I was told, however, that, if you HAVE TO have diet coke... open it, put it in the fridge for a few hours to let it go almost flat then thry.

I have had my lap-band for 2 years, in fact went for my 2 year checkup today, please please dont do carbonated anything, carbonation will inflate pouch, try this take a bottle of pop, any kind, open it and put a balloon on it and let it set, watch the carbonation blow the balloon up, this could be your pouch, then shake bottle and see what happens. I have had folks tell me that they let their pop set overnight but it still has carbonation in it. I was a 8 pak of pepsi a day person and I have existed without it. Take care and God Bless and good luck

I know that you are not supposed to have any carbonated beverages, but this works for me! Just don't tell my doctor!

Diet coke with ice--LOT OF ICE-- let it stand for about 5 minutes and then sip it slowly! It sounds watered down and flat, but when you haven't had it for what seems like forever, its awesome!

I was told no soda because of the risk of expanding your pouch. You could have hooked me up to an IV of Diet Dr. Pepper. I don't know if I miss it or the bubbles. I think honestly it is more the bubbles than anything else. This summer, beer will be hard to say no to as well.

My doctor said that I can have diet coke in moderation because there is not enough evidence to support the claim that carbonation expands the pouch. He did say that it was better to drink the carbonated beverage on an empty stomach. I drink diet pepsi in a glass with ice and I sip it slowly. No problems so far.

Banded 12/21/07 by doctor John Marsden, Fort Worth.