I am 8 years post op (RnY) and have only recently began to gain back an unacceptable amount- About 15 pounds over the last year and a half, which is what has brought me to the Neighborhood. My question is this- My nutritionist never told me to avoid carbonated drinks, but I see this recommended on the site. I drink ALOT of Caffeine Free Diet Coke. Why are carbonated drinks, even caffeine free and sugar free, not recommended? Thanks!

My understanding is that the bubbles expand the stomach. Not sure how true this is.

I would think, also, they are completely empty calories. No nutritional value whatsoever.

First and foremost, they take up the space that should be filled by water. If you had your 64 ounces of water for the day, then wanted to suck down a Diet Coke...that might be another story. I'm sure that Kaye has an article in the Library somewhere about this too.

In the beginning, my WLS center told me not to drink anything with bubbles, as it might irritate my newly sewn up pouch. I had a mean visual of that sucker exploding inside of me because of a little sparkling water. It was very easy to let go of it! Now, if I drink something with bubbles, I bloat out huge and pray for a burp.

My wl surgeon just told me I couldn't have them for a bout a year or so...been too long, can't remember for sure...and during that time I just made other things my drink of choice..water, tea, more water, cl...etc. after that time I REALLY wanted a soda and I do have one every now and again (average maybe 1x per week)...but only if I am getting my water in and they have NEVER been my "staple" drink 1 right after another, drink.... Also, I tend to BUUUURRRRP loud and furious afterwards...

Well I think that sodas are probably a bad habit that we develop but I think everyone is right so far. Bubbles, etc are not good. But there is also what is in them that is a problem. Diet sodas contain lots of phosphate which leeches calcium from your bones. It interacts with your calcium and we all know that is a problem for us.

I gave up drinking them straight...but I do like a little zip in my drinks. I do add a tad bit of Rock Star or diet 7 up to my propel or crystal lite every once in a while. I just don't make a habit of purchasing them. I have fibromalygia too and aspartame is an issue for me. So if they aren't sweetened with splenda, I just leave them alone. I do drink crystal light a lonce in a while because I like some of the flavors, but they have aspartame so I avoid them more. I love propel!

Christy, I am a long time Propel girl too! I found that after surgery, I had to water it down or I couldn't drink it. Now I am so used to half propel and half water that this is what I usually drink.

About the subject at hand. Here is what my surgeon told me. Carbonated beverages expand in a new pouch, stretching it. The idea is to have the pouch as small as possible at the one year anniversary because after that time, you will rarely stretch your pouch. If you drink carbonated beverages or eat foods that expand once in your pouch, you risk having a pouch that is much larger than normal and your possibility of long term success is diminished.

There just isn't a carbonated beverage that means enough to me to take that risk whether it is true or not.

At this point in your post op life, I doubt seriously that any damage could be done to your pouch by the carbonation.

However... for me... drinking carbonated beverages and snacking go hand in hand. I tend to snack more frequently when I've had pop.

For me carbonated drinks are no longer.. I use to drink them every day all day long but since I decided to change my life style that was something that needed to be changed. I use to only drink diet coke - or diet caffine free pepsi/coke - I do have cravings for a soda but I know for me if I have the first drink - it will be all over for me I know I will be drinking them instead of the stuff I need to...

Cheering for you, Marta! Good for you.

Sometimes what we have to do to be healthy is hard, but being MO & unhealthy is much a lot harder. Sometimes I just want to get on a soapbox & tell the whiners to "buck up & do it or shut up,get fat & unhealthy". Life isn't always easy. You do what you have to do. (Oh, was that harsh or what)

I haven't had a pop (that's what we folks from the Pacific Northwest call soda) in nearly four years, and I have no interest. My doc said no soda, no gum, and no straws for the rest of my life. Incidentally, soda is typically loaded with sodium too.

One reason I stick to is because Diet Cokes are proven to make people thirstier, hungrier, and we don't want that!! But, we can't drink the regular due to the high sugar contents... good reasons right there to avoid both.

HOWEVER, I must add that if you open a drink and let it set out, OR if you use it in a blender for your protein drink, you can defizz or decarbonate it and it wont hurt your tummy (wont stretch or expand it)... I like Cananda Dry Cranberry sometimes in my protein powder... I also like Sugar Free Red Bull occasioanlly with a scoop of Whey Gourmet Rasberry Smoothie, two strawberries, lots of ice.

It can also cause abdomenal pain due to the fizz and cause gas...

Stirring for awhile w/ a metal utensil will de-fizz it, too. My nutritionist told me this.
But, who needs it? This is a new life!

I was told the same thing by my wls Center. I never too much wanted one after some the trouble i have had with gas, I mean if food can do it to me imagine what a drink will do. I have recently started to drink chery limeades from sonic. But they dont have a tremendous amt of carbonation. Still after doing the 5dpt i have given them up too.

Question?? Why no straws?? jhk

I have not had any soda in over 5 years and I used to love it!!! I know if I have one, that will lead to more and I always hated the after taste in diet soda. So I'd have all those extra empty calories in full sugar soda too!! I did have some sparkling apple cider about 18 months ago, just about 1/2 a glass and within 20 minutes I was horribly sick, nauseated, shaking etc., and it lasted for 8 hours!! I will never try anything carbonated again. But I must admit sometimes I look at my husband's soda enviously and have to smell it even! Is that weird?

I agree there is nothing nutritious about soda, so why drink it? I do drink coffee though, for the caffeine.

Jhk - no straws because they can put extra air into our pouches, especially if you slurp up whatever you're drinking at the bottom of the glass. I did follow this rule for 2 years but I am almost 5 years out now and use straws all the time with no problems.

Jules

Dear Magic Maker...this is my first reply EVER, as I am new to this list...old to WLS, but new to this website...I love all the replies you got...such wisdom in numbers!

My surgery was in 2000 and I have gained 20 pounds back in the last 8 years, most of which came back the last year and a half (I believe from snacking),so I feel your pain and panic. I must admit that I have drank Diet Coke all these years, even knowing that water was a better choice. I told myself, "if I can't have sugar and all the yummy (I mean yukky ) stuff that contributed to my obesity, I'm not letting go of my Diet Coke!"

I have recently opted for Crystal Lite with loads of ice! I am trying to say goodbye to carbonation...it make me burp foam, anyway. However my pouch has not stretched. I had to have a test to check for a hiatal (sp?) hernia and I watched that chalky drink go down, curious to see the size of my pouch. My pouch is still small ... like an egg, BUT the stoma...(as you know, the opening going into my intestine)... has stretched and is huge. I think poorly-chewed food did this, and not carbonation. That chalky drink went so fast through my pouch, I had to lay down and roll so it would coat my pouch...it was kinda funny, but sad too. Now, I understand why some surgeons use a plastic ring around the stoma to keep it from stretching...well, that was 8 years ago and this is now, so I must deal. You and I have a lot of similar challenges (hey, that is what this list is for, huh?), so I am with you. Let's try to drink more water and less carbination and do out best with this wonderful tool we have.

That's my story and I stickin' to it!
Joyciegirl

I have not had pop since surgery.... wlsurgen said no... so I am listening.. my sister is 4 years out she drinks pop... but then doesn't eat... so I will eat and not drink pop!! good luck!

Just want to throw my two cents in too. As a card carrying diet drinker (past tense) I once heard Liz Taylor talk about diet drinks, she said she never touched the stuff because she had never seen a skinny person with one. "Deep Thought" And I have heard when you drink diet drinks, somehow your head says your being good so have a little extra. Well that little extra usually ends up about 200 calories extra a day. Now this is the "experts" not me. And also all the other reasons mentioned. Great answer ladies.