Can I drink flat caffeine free diet pepsi after surgery? And how does a diet pepsi addict give up caffeine without the major headaches? Help!

My Doctor said to avoid soda because the carbonation in the soda will cause my pouch to stretch.

Hi, I gave up both soda and coffee (carbonation and caffeine) before surgery - I was really worried about it. I love my diet Pepsi. I weaned myself off both coffee and diet Pepsi before surgery and it wasn't bad. (well, it was bad for a day or two but if you do it slowly it is bearable- I just made it 1/4 decaf, then 1/2 decaf, then 3/4 decaf etc...) I stayed off carbonation and haven't missed it at all. I had the same experience as the person above when I took a sip of it it tasted horrible. Coffee was a different story. It was the one thing that really bothered me because it is such a ritual and so much a part of my social life. I have one cup in the morning and sometimes one in the evening. I stayed off it for a month and couldn't do it anymore. My doctor didn't say to never have coffee again, but said it can effect blood sugar levels. He did say no carbonation ever and I chose to stick with that one because the issue would be with the actual function of the band and I didn't want to risk that. Again, every doctor is different and the bottom line is we each make our own decisions about how much we are going to stick to the rules. I am, in general, a gestapo like rule follower! The coffee rule was the ONE rule I couldn't follow and that is the ONE I will break and I will do everything else I am supposed to!

I gave up sodas the day of my surgery. Quite an accomplishment as that was nearly all I drank for as long as I can remember. I drink diet iced tea, FUZE and loads of coffee now. My nutritionist and dr. have no problem with the coffee and I have no adverse effect from the caffeine. Just remember that everyone is different. In my support group last week, I was talking with a friend who had her surgery the day before me. She can't eat bread, but enjoys deli lunchmeats rolled up for lunch, etc. I can eat bread, but the lunchmeat causes me HUGE problems. Steph

I have been told by my dr. that the no caff thing is due to it is a stimulant and can cause you too feel hungry! Dont know this is a hard one for me too! I will be banded 2/18/08

Ok, I believe that the best thing to do is give up both caffeine and carbonation. All of you have convinced me of it. I think I'll try to do decaf first 1/4 then 1/2 then 3/4 then all decaf. Then switch to decaf tea( my husband already drinks that) and crystal light and of course water. Ice water is good to drink here in Arizona anyway. Shoot, it's february and supposed to be near 80 in the next few days. All of you here on this forum are so wonderful. I wish for each one of a long happy healthy life. God Bless you all.:cursing:

I read online that the No caffeine rule was for the first three months. When i asked the Dr's office about it, they said it can cause dehydration, but if I was staying well hydrated then a cup or two a day wouldn't hurt. I drink a cup of tea every morning and sometimes in the afternoon. Very occassionally I have a cup of coffee.

the carbonation seems like a whole different thing. All those bubbles in the pouch. I gave up most carbonated drinks a while ago because of my hiatal hernia, the carbonation bothered me. Now my hernia is fixed (when they put the band in) but I have no desire to drink carbonated things. The only one I'll miss is sparkling Water.

My Doc told me no caffeine for 2 weeks. He said it was a diuretic and could dehydrate you and since many people have trouble getting their fluids in right after surgery they don't want any risks of dehydration. I drink caffeine now with no problems, mostly my caffeine comes from tea and yerba mate. I gave up the carbonation but was told I can have it if I want and can tolerate it. Many can not tolerate it. I have had maybe 3 sips of a coke since my surgery and I had no issues, but coke does not taste right anymore.

Chris

I stop every morning on the way to work and buy a cup of coffee. I have no problem with it and look forward to it every day. The doctor hasn't said that I had to stop and the weight is still coming off. So...I will continue with my coffee everyday. As for soda...I haven't had soda in about a year. I can't say that I miss it either...you'll get used to it. I stick to Crystal Light and water now.

My doc. said the reason we can't have caffeine is because it is a dieuretic and might make us dehydrated. I came off all caffeine-which was very difficult. I have heard from other banders that you can have some 3-6 months after surgery. I may just leave it out, already used to decaf now.

Before I was banded I would have maybe three cups of coffee a day and a number of diet pepsi. I also liked dark beers from time to time. We since i have not had one pepsi and don't miss it. I drink about six crystal lights (16oz) a day and that is fine with me. The doctors office also said I could have one cup of coffee a day but to tell you the truth most days i don't. I may have two a week.

As far as the beer I may try one down the road but we are going out to dinner this weekend with a bunch of people and i think I'll stick with wine.. maybe just a glass or two.

47 lbs. Terriffic!! You go! I have read many helpful posts here and I am convinced that it will be diet tea and water and crystal light for me. Keep us posted on your progress

I was banded yesterday Feb 11 2008, my dietitian said I could have diet colas.

The gasses in the Carbonation expand your stomach. You are working against yourself if you drink any Carbonation drinks post surgery...

Surely some effort needs to be put in here. Why even consider what is obviously going to risk compromising your band?

I know that I went a little nuts in college after losing a lot of weight and decided that I REALLY liked beer...I drank lots of beer (I usually drank liquor) because a.) i liked it and b.) it was cheaper. And I was in a sorority, and well gotta show off those beer bonging, keg stand, beer chugging skills right? WRONG....my band hasnt been the same since, I dont know if there really is anything wrong with it because I havent had it looked it because Ive been preggers, but after Im done being pregnant Im gonna go get it checked out...I know that I didnt have much of a fill when I was doing all that with the beer and after a month of beer drinking, I was puking EVERYTHING (even water and milk and stuff) up every time I ate or drank ANYTHING. Seems like the carbonation + band mix really screwed me up....granted its been a long time since all that happened and it could have been a temporary problem, Im completely unfilled right now and can eat anything! WHICH IS NOT GOOD! Before I started drinking carbonation, even unfilled I felt restriction...now its nothing at all, like I may have stretched out the pouch and it allows more food to initially go in....I have several theories, none of them certain or proven lol! But I definately think my carbonation intake could have messed up my band