MYTH: Carbonation stretches out your pouch

"It doesn't stretch your pouch as is. But, the temporary expanding feeling can interfere with the eating and drinking you must do for your pouch. The true trouble with carbonated drinks is, many of you were *addicted* to it, and it often triggers cravings. Some surgeon says it stretches your pouch because that is easier to understand for you, and easier to relate. I say, stay off the stuff, but, keep just one can in the fridge for an "emergency". Often, just knowing that it's there when you can't resist your craving any more, will actually help you resist the temptation." This quote was Originally Posted by DocSanae on RENEWED REFLECTIONS BOARD

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OK...here is my 2 cents! I'm sooo glad that this "myth" is dispelled....I've heard the rumor too - but it sounds ridiculous. Although, I completely agree...and can testify to the "imprinting" of sodas in my early life!

IMPRINTING: noun - a learning process in early life whereby species specific patterns of behavior are established

Before WLS I drank 1 to 1.5 "route 44" sodas - (all kinds- sometimes a Cherry Limeade Soda...sometimes a Vanilla Diet Coke) I noticed that these were addictive in themselves....44oz. of this type of drink can really mess with your mind...and it was just an great example of my "over indulgence." We'd always swing thru the drive-thru of Sonic...and then get food at other drive-thru's....The other thing that triggered me to have a "Route 44" drink was just driving by a Sonic....I'd immediately feel the craving...even if I hadn't thought of it...or was thirsty.

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ANYHOW- After WLS...actually, several months back...I think it was last fall - so it was around 6-7mos PostOp - I had my first small drink of diet coke...I remember feeling extremely GUILTY. I even posted my 'confession.' I think I felt like I broke some "cardinal rule of WLS" - and it just emphasized that I was failing at my postop rules...and I was terrified of "stretching my pouch" - and failing at this surgery...and eventually would GAIN BACK all my weight and be OBESE again! ugh!!

So...in the last 6 mos. I've done some VERY deep soul searching & internal emotional healing. - I've become VERY aware of what is going on for me when I "crave" a soda. There is so much around the imprinting... and just like an

• AIR SUPPLY song can muster up a feelings for me of new love from Jr. High....
• SODA musters feelings of me wanting to have pizza, chips, burger, fries & Taco Bell!!

Funny enough...I think these are all things I'd eat with soda when I was in my adolescent years...and incidentally when I began my bad behaviors of my eating disorder. I continued these behaviors thru the years...

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MY EXPERIENCE:

I still have a drink of soda 'now and then'....but I do as Doc suggested. There is ONE diet (caffeine-free) coke in my fridge. There is something about it being in there - "IN CASE OF EMERGENCY" - and if I drink it...I get a small tea cup put some ice cubes in it...and try to get as much fizz out as possible. I also am constantly 'thinking', -"what's going on for me? Am I bummed or blue? why do I want this soda?" usually it's just the fizzy taste...and then I stop there. I don't like the feeling of too much in my pouch...or the 'gassy' feeling it creates if I drink more. What I think....If you can cut it out completely...do it, good for you! But if you are worried - don't beat yourself up!!! DO THE WORK...check out what might go on for you emotionally!

In my opinion....I think the WHOLE ISSUE is lack of communication....I know that it definitely 'takes two' even though that sounds cliche'....but it's true - It takes two to get together...and two to split.If BOTH are not completely committed thru thick and thin it's difficult - b/c one side can only hold up 'your one side of the bargain'.... - it's just a recipe for disaster.
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I have heard of many couples splitting after WLS....but I wonder if that is b/c of the insecurity in the mate - OR our "new found confidence"??? I'd be likely to believe that it is a combination of the two....
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I just wonder if as we are loosing weight...if WE feel disappointed that we are not given the accolades we need for our accomplishments...for our self-esteem...and our journey. And when we don't get that from our mate/partner...we contribute to their insecurities if we don't tell them...or talk to them about it.On the other side....this is a blow to the gut to our mate too. I think it's necessary that THEY go thru some sort of counseling for themselves....OUR LIFE CHANGE effects them too...and I believe if they do not go thru the 'emotional & mental' changes of life deals them with our weight-loss and new found self-esteem and confidence that may be difficult for them.One thing I have to CONSTANTLY remember is...as I gained weight - my husband dealt with my obesity in a 'certain way'...and now that I'm thin...he has to deal with that AS WELL.... This is NOT ONLY my journey....but the journey of my entire family! Just as my weight affected my life...it affected my husbands and daughters life. The same is true of my weight - loss.....
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I'm still processing thru all of this....PLEASE KNOW, this is not directed to ANYONE in particular...just my ramblings of fluid thought & how I am processing my own journey with my issues with my Spouse.

A Word to the NEWBIE of WLS...

If there was ANYTHING I could say to you "Newbies" is DO THE HEALING WITHIN - the outside success will come....

It's sooo important to get to the 'heart of the matter' of "WHY AM I OBESE??"

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I am 13mos PostOp...I'm still working on this question....

it is an ON GOING process....don't be afraid of that part of your journey.

I tend to think it's the MOST IMPORTANT part....the inner work you do in the 'early months' could make the whole difference in your food struggle for the rest of your life!!!

I'd even go as far to say....this step is THE MOST important step in ANY weight loss program.

One Year SURGIVERSARY Pictures...

WOW....

It's been ONE year since my Lap RNY....

Amazing.....time flies....

This picture is from our celebratory Surgiversary Dinner....we went to the 2nd Street Cafe - in Park Slope!!

It was soooo chilly when we left the park tonight...so we were bundled up for our long walk home....burr! (17blks home.... we WANT SPRING!)

(CLICK on the photos for larger view...)

JOURNAL: One Year Surgiversary!

What JOY I feel to be right on target with the Average WLS patient....I was reading the early pages of my blog to find all that my Doctors told me about LapRNY...My doctor said that the average patient loses 77% of the excess weight in the first year. My excess weight was 184#'s - and 77% of that is 143#'s!! Not only am I just "over weight"....I'm "average" to boot - AND I FEEL FABULOUS!!I've had my weight loss come full circle in a weird sort of way...This was an excert from my blog on one of the first days I knew my life & weight HAD to change!___________________________________________
Saturday, August 13, 2005

Wake-Up..."Wake-Up Call...."
I’m ready to go and get the information to get started with weight loss surgery. Today was my daughters 2nd birthday…there are SO many things I currently hold back, or miss out on. Her god-mother was sooo fun with her today at Chuck E. Cheese’s….
In the play arena at Chuck E. Cheese’s they have a huge crawl tube attached to the ceiling….the kiddos climb up these obstacle ladders…and then crawl thru these tubes that maze thru on the ceiling. I would NEVER be able to let her enjoy that…thankfully her godmother is soooo fun and adventurous! It rang home in a pain to my heart how my weight can subtly affect my two-year-old RIGHT NOW!! I don’t like to take her to the park – for fear if she runs too far from me I won’t be able to run after her. No more – I’m calling MONDAY!!!
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I remembered this blog when I was looking thru the pictures we took today on my Surgiversary. My sweet Husband came home from school in the afternoon today....and we first took Isabella to the park together...and then all went out to dinner!When we got home...I saw russ had taken a BUNCH of pictures of Isabella and I playing 'tag/chase' on the jungle gym playground....These pictures are soooo precious to me....they are not very good quality....but I love them!

Another reason that drove me to WLS was I never wanted to take 'Bella to the park when she was little b/c I was afraid if she ran faster than me - that I wouldn't be able to RUN after her - to keep her safe and from danger! Now...I not only could do that - but, I can Run and PLAY!! Praise GOD....my daughter is going to have a Mommy that can play....I love that for her! I love this picture of us playing tag....and then there is more where SHE is chasing ME!! Today was such a wonderful day....and evening with

my family.... PRAISE GOD for this surgery...and all the will power he's given me this year...and the success!

I've lost 143.6#'s in 12 months....

AMAZING..... :::sigh:::