Are we banned from carbonated drinks forever or when can you start

having carbonated drinks again...(just kind of wishing for a Miller lite):redface:

ps, I'm well aware of the effects it will cause but I still would like a

beer every now and then! I've had a small glass of wine and was fine.

Being aware of the affects of carbonation, you know that drinking carbonated drinks at any time while banded will stretch your pouch lessening the effectiveness of having the band. Whether you do it before you lose all your weight or after, if you stretch your pouch you will be able to take in more food.

It also can also cause very painful gas.

One thing I've learned on here is that every doctor is different in what he wants for his band patients, so call and ask your doctor. :w00t:

However, I've read just about everything you can possibly read about this whole Lap Band thing, and everything I've read says that having carbonated beverages (including that Oh-So-Yummy Miller Lite) will cause an excess of air bubbles in your little pouch, which in turn will cause burping. Burping is a bad thing, because it can cause your band to move around and possibly lead to slippage. Of course, I think this applies specifically to the first 6mos when your band is still healing inside your body, as far as the stitches go.

Once you're completely 100% healed, I don't see how one beer can actually hurt you, as long as you drink it really slow. I'd let it get a little flat first though, just to make sure you don't have lots of bubbles. But, who wants a semi-warm, flat Miller Lite? Not me!

Believe me, I'm struggling with the "No Miller Lite" thing right now. I'm getting banded in a month, and I'm currently trying to quit sodas and beer. I've got a 3-a-day soda habit, and I bet I drink at least one beer 5 nights a week. So it's killing me to think about quitting beer for good. But if it keeps my band from slipping and/or eroding, then I'm willing to do it!!! :redface:

Talk to your doctor about his specific instructions. My doctor says at least for the first year, BUT that he would prefer that carbonation is given up for good. Good luck to you!

I was told yesterday that the number one causes of band failure were refusing to give up carbonated beverages forever and not following the pre and post-op diets.

I personally will not risk it. If I want the flavor of beer I will cook with it or something. Not worth it to spend thousands to screw it up just for a beer or a soda.

My doctor allows it after 6 months. He says small quantities and small sips are okay occasionally, not every day.

I think it's just hilarious that every doctor has a different opinion. I mean, they're all putting in the same band essentially, so why does every doctor have different pre-op and post-op requirements?

Some doctors don't require pre-op diets, and some require Optifast for 4 weeks - what a drastic difference! Some doctors make you stay on liquids post-op for 3 weeks, and others have you eating mushies in 10 days.

It just boggles my mind how doctors can vary so greatly in their instructions when they're all pretty much putting the same piece of silicone into our bodies, you know? :wub:

I was told cabonation can cause slippage and not to take the chance ... ever.

Its the only thing Iv given up. I can eat anything else.

I was told doctors believe carbonation will stretch your pouch ,but there was no proof either way.For me it just plain hurts and makes me burp so why bother.

I askes my doctor about a beer now and then, he said an 8 oz beer wouldn't bother me. As far as the slippage thing there is no actual literature that this has occurred, and every doctor is different. I would just ask him his opinion on it.

Veronica

Wine is ok, but beer is a whole other story...take it from someone who knows and learned a VALUABLE lesson. This past Monday night I got home late; tired and hungry. Although I know better.....being tired + being hungry makes me do crazy things. I made a stupid sandwich (I won't even tell you what was on it) and pulled a beer from the frig (thought it would really help me sleep). Ate the sandwich and drank the beer in record time (remember what I said "being tired + being hungry makes me do crazy things). My stomach started growling, churning and blowing up Monday night and it is now Wednesday and my stomach is just now beginning to feel normal again. I was in so much pain and nothing helped. DON'T DO IT.