I've read all posts on these boards about soda. So I called the coca cola co. and asked how long does it take for carbonation to leave coke - their reply is the same as my doc. - poured over ice let sit 15 min.-1hr. If U freeze for icee all carbonation leaves.

From my understanding it is the carbonation that causes problem.

And of course having soda should be long after surgery.

A

The point I think is not just the carbonation but that soda in general is bad bad bad for you health and fitness wise. It is a poor unhealthy choice. I was a Pepsi addict. Since banded I haven't had a sip! The first couple of weeks were hard. Now... I don't even miss it.

I think that taking out the carbonation is simply "eating around the bands purpose"

I need a mountain dew

Yep, I agree with Jenna. My surgeon said that if I wanted diet after surgery I could have it flat. I've always hated diet pop, and aspartame gives me migranes anyway. It's totally not worth it to me.

If I really feel like I need a drink of pop now I have it. But only 1 drink. Anything beyond that feels like too much of a risk of slippage to me now.

I didn't drink any soda after banding for a long time. Now I have it once in a great while if I really feel like it, but not nearly like prebanding. Prebanding it was normal for me to consume at least a 2 liter of pepsi a day. Now I have one can or glass a month. Usually when I'm at work, where my choics are limited, and I just really need a cold drink and some caffeine.

It is a bad choice, as anything high in sugar is a bad choice. Sugar causes cravings for more sugar. Doing without is best, these bands were expensive and should be babied to the best of our abilities. If I were in an environment where I could have something refreshing other than pop I would make a better choice, but late at night in the hospital it's pop, coffee, or weird tasting Water if I forget or go through what I've brought from home.