Do carbonated beverages stretch Pouch?

[Guest guest]

In a previous email I mentioned that carbonated beverages stretch the pouch

and should be avoided.

I've gotten two emails asking me for absolute proof that carbonated beverages

stretch the pouch. I'm not a researcher. I've heard from many sources,

including my surgeon, and various reports that this is potentially so. This

surgery is still in it's infancy and proof of what appears so may be months

or years away. For now we must do the best we can to avoid those things that

are suspect even if there is no absolute proof.

When I had my first surgery in '96 I wanted absolute proof regarding the

follow up care instructions. When I couldn't find it, I modified the program

to suit my preferences. As I've said, I can be a hard nut. But I've learned

some humility here. In '96 they didn't know that a person can have decent

labs and still be in trouble on this program. I was one of those people. I

had very high protein counts so I stopped taking protein. The counts remained

good. Within two years my pouch stretched from

to 100cc and my common channel did similarly. Cravings returned, big time.

Is there proof of this connection? No, not yet. If you want proof you may be

waiting some time. All we can do at this point, since there is not always

absolute proof, is to listen to the professionals who talk to hundreds of WLS

patients.

I want the best shot at winning with WLS this time. No modifying for me. I

love Pepsi One. But if I'm told that there appears to be a definite

correlation between drinking these beverages and stretching my pouch then I

will not drink them. If later it is learned that some can tolerate

carbonation while others cannot, then I'll move up to that rung of the ladder

and check out the landscape anew.

For those who drink carbonated beverages without any ill effects then for you

it seems there is no harm. But I don't want to take the chance.

Crow

[Guest guest]

*********

>

>

> In a previous email I mentioned that carbonated beverages stretch

the pouch

> and should be avoided.

>

> I've gotten two emails asking me for absolute proof that carbonated

beverages

> stretch the pouch. I'm not a researcher. I've heard from many

sources,

> including my surgeon, and various reports that this is potentially

so. This

> surgery is still in it's infancy and proof of what appears so may

be months

> or years away. For now we must do the best we can to avoid those

things that

> are suspect even if there is no absolute proof.

************

Crow,

It's good to have you around again! I was beginning to think that

you had dropped out.

I totally agree with you on the carbonated drinks. I have not been

able to handle them without hurting. So, if it hurts, don't do it,

right? I never was a soda drinker even before surgery. Didn't like

the way it made me feel then and certainly don't like the way it

makes me feel now.

I am sure that, just as there are individual WLS operations, doctors,

and results, that there will be individual needs in after care. What

will work for one will not always work for another. That is why I

feel that I have to do my own research, trials, and decisions. I

have personally decided not to do carbo drinks. I drink water, Ice

Botanicals, Fruit2O, my protien, and an occasional coffee or herbal

tea. I can't even drink un-sweet (regular) tea. It makes me get the

foamys.

The young woman that I spoke to prior to deciding to have WLS is now

having a very difficult time with weight regain. My DH works with

her and sees her drinking several Mt. Dew sodas each day. Not diet,

but regular sodas. If the diet sodas MIGHT lead up to regular

drinks, I want to steer clear of them.

Each to their own...but I'm not taking a chance. That is not to say

that others cannot handle them. I'm just doing what I feel is right

for me.

Reba

RNY - 1/10/00

172 down and trying to deal with each day as it comes!

[Guest guest]

My experience aside from the carbonation stretching issue:

I am a professional dieter. I dieted for years to lose weight so I

could eat again. I always drank diet soda. It is a major binge food

for me, why???Cuz when I drink soda I want to snack with it. It was

always the diet soda and a bowl or bag of XXXXXX. I drank diet soda

from 1 yr to 5 yrs post op, Between years 3 and 5 i also regained 64

lbs munching away.....

AGAIN, THIS IS JUST MY EXPERIENCE AND THE PERSPECTIVE OF A BORN FOOD

ADDICT. WHO IS STILL A FOOD ADDICT...

Rita In Vermont

Open RNY 3/31/94 463lbs

as of 7/12/01 192 lbs

>

> I want the best shot at winning with WLS this time. No modifying

for me. I

> love Pepsi One. But if I'm told that there appears to be a definite

> correlation between drinking these beverages and stretching my

pouch then I

> will not drink them. If later it is learned that some can tolerate

> carbonation while others cannot, then I'll move up to that rung of

the ladder

> and check out the landscape anew.

>

> For those who drink carbonated beverages without any ill effects

then for you

> it seems there is no harm. But I don't want to take the chance.

>

> Crow

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hello All,

My doctor says the pouch does not stretch. It is a matter of people go

back to eating the way they use to....drinking during their meal or

right after.

I have continued to drink diet pop and I seem to have no problem

maintaining my goal weight of 100-110 lbs.

Deborah Burseth Minneapolis, Mn.

Dr. Baker RNY 1/19/1999

Post-Op 100 lbs. Size Girl's 10 ½ Plus Pants

Pre-Op 227 lbs. Size WP 28

IF YOU ALWAYS DO WHAT YOU ALWAYS DID -

YOU'LL ALWAYS GET WHAT YOU ALWAYS GOT!

[Guest guest]

Gaylene, You made me laugh. I always call soda the OTHER carb. LOL

This is why I just share what I have experienced. For me, soda is an

old binge food. I always drank diet soda since I can remember. When

I started drinking it again post op I slowly got back into my old

habit of grazing, after all, I drank soda, ate chips, drank soda, ate

popcorn, drank soda, ate pretzels, cheese nips.....etc etc and on and

on and on....

My surgeon is not anti soda. She just says let it go flat a bit...

It is my choice not to drink it anymore. I can count on one hand how

many sips I have had in the last 2 years.

So for me, I low carb and stay away from the OTHER carb too.

Hugs

Rita in Vermont

> Hi everyone,

>

> I think (oh my goodness, am I thinking again? That's a scary

thought!)

> anyway....I think we have to remember that we need to follow our

doctors

> instructions more than anything else. We trusted him/her with our

lives when

> we choose to have this surgery, now maybe we need to have a little

faith in

> what your doctor says is best for you and the type of surgery you

had. Not

> that I'm saying to that you shouldn't do research on your own and

discuss

> options with your doctor.

>

> I wish people would not post things that they say are the only way

to have a

> successful WLS. Maybe we could just say that in my

experience.....this is

> what works for me. As for carbonated beverages......I didn't drink

many

> before surgery, so I don't drink any now. If only I could say that

about

> other things I fight with on a daily basis. Like Carb's. Oh

well.....that's

> another subject.

> Gaylene

> 3/16/00

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