These three things are going to be the HARDEST habits to break! I'm a soda junkie... even if it's diet soda. And caffiene? Oh-M-G... that's going to be a toughie. No drinks with meals?!? Wow how is that even possible?

Post op bandsters.... how did you do it?????

Those are the 3 I'm most concerned with also. Especially when I'm working nights. Ugh! Im already missing the bubbles from soda. It's been since yesterday. But I guess I have to remember why I'm doing this, and I"m self pay. Don't want to screw it up. If we can make it through the beginning and start seeing results, I think it will help. I'm curious to see responses of how others got through it. Good post!!!

The strangest thing happened to me after surgery. I, like you, had been addicted to diet soda forever. After my surgery I not only lost the craving, but don't even like it any more! To me, this is a miracle. I would crave diet soda, really crave it. Now, if I have a bottle of Water and a can of soda sitting in front of me I will choose the water every time.

You might try flavored water. Maybe a happy medium without the carbonation.

Good Luck!

:biggrin:

Surgery 1/08

Lost all my weight!

Edited September 9, 200817 yr by wschatan
Wanted to add information.

You can do this. Don't worry. When I feel like having a soda, I'll drink maybe a 1/4 cup to a cup maybe once a month if that. You will learn that it's better to drink water, tea, ect...than soda.

Coffee, who said you couldn't have a cup of coffee?? I have a cup every morning with a tsp of fat-free milk and 1/2 packet of Splenda.

Now as far as not drinking with your meals...there's a reason for that and you will learn it well. By drinking an hr before or after a meal, you will stay satisfied longer and that is what we all want.

Good Luck on your lapband journey.

The docs diet plan really pushes no caffiene. I asked why, they said it's an appetite stimulant.

It seems to differ with every doctor. My doctor doesn't like caffiene but allows one cup of coffee or tea per day. He said that it is also a stomach irritant (who knew?). I was also told no soda but only for 1 year.

do you take a couple of sips of water while eating? I feel like i will choke if i don't drink water just a few sips

I used to drink Diet Coke pretty much all day. It was either that or iced tea. I didn't actually stop drinking Diet Coke or caffeinated tea until my surgery date. I had a x-large Diet Coke the morning before my surgery. But since my surgery I have not had any soda at all and only decaffeinated iced tea. I had a few headaches the first week, but luckily that was the week I was taking my pain medication regularly so it took care of the headaches. I am fine now - I am two weeks post op today. I would have never thought I could give up soda and caffeine, but I don't miss it and would never risk damaging my stomach or band now. And as a byproduct, I am able to fall asleep much faster.

Hang in there.

Giving up soda was difficult - I was addicted to Diet Coke! But, in the scheme of things, it just didn't seem to be as good compared with being thinner.

Caffeine - luckily my doc has nothing against caffeine! I have coffee (several cups) every day. The most difficult part was waiting 60 min after a meal, but after 7 months, it doesn't bother me anymore. I can clean up the dishes, tidy the kitchen, then brew the coffee and relax after dinner.

I'm one of those that could never eat anything without drinking. I wonder now if it was my hiatal hernia causing that problem (I was always astounded that hubby could eat a whole meal without drinking anything!). Now that I've moved to solids (well, mushies), I find I can eat easily without drinking.