Post Op Diet and Carbonated Bevereages - ThinnerTimes - Gastric Bypass Forum, Lap Band Forum, and Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy Forum

Moonfruit · 03-12-2010, 08:30 PM

So i was told to not drink carbonated beverages because of the gas and pressure it causes. I haven't cheated but I am curious how many of you have lap band and are drinking carbonated beverages ie. soda, beer, and champagne. I would like to discuss this with my nutritionist and I'd like a leg to stand on. Thanks in advance

GloryRN · 03-13-2010, 06:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moonfruit

So i was told to not drink carbonated beverages because of the gas and pressure it causes. I haven't cheated but I am curious how many of you have lap band and are drinking carbonated beverages ie. soda, beer, and champagne. I would like to discuss this with my nutritionist and I'd like a leg to stand on. Thanks in advance

you have NO idea how much I want a cold Diet Coke, everytime I hear that familiar "pop" of a cold can being opened, my mind takes me back to "happier times". But to answer your question, NO, i have not tried it, some have. My doctor told me to avoid it, he didn't threaten me, he just said that I would not like the consquences. It was enough for me. I really do miss the diet coke.

Band_Groupie · 03-13-2010, 07:59 AM

I think it's hard to know the 'truth' on this one as no one has spent the money for a study on carbonation and the pouch, but I'll give you my experience.

I'm not sure what they mean by 'gas and pressure' as the usual reason I hear here is stretching the pouch (but maybe that's your doc's way of saying that?). My doc says the carbonation 'stretching' is a bunch of bunk and there's no science behind it at all. Banders always give the example of putting a carbonated drink into a balloon and then shaking it up to watch the balloon expand...well, not quite right...you need to stick a straw in the bottom and top of the balloon first as your pouch has not one, but two exits for any air and it will easily take either of those two paths before it would mysterious stay in your pouch and stretch anything.

I've been drinking wine or beer most weekends with no problems. I do 'pour it badly' to get rid of some of the carbonation...only because it makes me burp more (but I burp with restriction for anything going through my new stoma...never could burp before LOL, now I burp all the time even with water going through).

Also I had an endoscopy yesterday (for some mild reflux). I'm 10.5 months post band and everything is in good order...no stretching, dialation, slip, erosion, etc. The pouch is still the right size and the carbonation hasn't done a thing to hurt it...I'd think after 10.5 months of consistent carbonation something would have stretched by now if it was going to.

Even on the LB manufacturer site, I forget the wording, but it says something to the effect of 'some Dr.'s feel that carbonation can stretch the pouch'. I've yet to see anyone say it DOES stretch the pouch and then show the science behind it.

Believe me, I wouldn't do anything to risk my band, it's been too good to me. I'd be asking my doctor why he believes that carbonation is bad. My doc says he thinks a lot of docs tell their patients that because a lot us were big former drinkers of empty calorie liquids, like soda or beer and they don't want us to continue with liquid calories (the statistical correlation on drinking regular soda and obesity are really high).

Good luck!

hexx2003 · 03-13-2010, 08:16 AM

i dont know if my chime will matter.. I had bypass not lapband. But.. i stayed away from carbinated beverages for 10 months.. it hurt.. period.. then i went to watering it down by letting it sit with ice in it.. now i can drink it.. but i get full of it really quick. I am 14 months post op.

GloryRN · 03-13-2010, 02:16 PM

OK, that's it, I am getting a COKE today!!!!!!!!!!!!

ncblueyes · 03-13-2010, 04:58 PM

Honestly giving up Diet Coke has been one of the food choices I think will be the hardest. I know it sounds stupid but I only have 1 a day and it is the only caffeine I drink. I'm NOT saying I will do this....only that I am glad to know that there is the possibility of being able to have one occasionally.....

PS - Glory RN, don't you mean DIET Coke????

mistymee · 03-13-2010, 06:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ncblueyes

Honestly giving up Diet Coke has been one of the food choices I think will be the hardest. I know it sounds stupid but I only have 1 a day and it is the only caffeine I drink. I'm NOT saying I will do this....only that I am glad to know that there is the possibility of being able to have one occasionally.....

PS - Glory RN, don't you mean DIET Coke????

Honey.... the others are lap banders so that might make a difference... most docs seem to frown on soda/carbonation for RNY'ers.

Along with the possible pain from carbonation, it leaches calcium from our bones (and with the malabsorption issues- that's never a good thing).. the phosphorous is pretty bad for anyone- rny or otherwise, health wise.

I used to drink a six pack or more a day and yeah, it's hard and there are days when I just really miss the feeling of the bubbles but you do get used to drinking other things. It's really not worth the possible problems it can cause.