[angieblu]

Ok, I am just about 8 weeks out. I am doing great with all the foods that I try....I haven't gotten sick from anything since I had the EGD. Tonight we made tacos and I had one! Just a bit of hamburger meat (strained) and some cheese and taco sauce on a corn taco shell. It was really good and it still amazes me that I get soooo full from such a small amount.

Ok, anyway....I miss soda! I used to be a Coke-Cola freak, but about six months before I had the surgery I converted to diet sodas. It didn't take long to get over Coke, but I got just as addicted to diet sodas! Well, not long after I had the surgery, I took a sip of my daughters diet orange and swished it around and spit it out. MMMMMM, delish! I'm craving that carbonation I think. Tonight I bought some caffeine free, diet pepsi. Is it horrible to drink, even a little, every now and then? I've heard it can stretch the new pouch and that really is the last thing that I want to do, but how do I get this craving under control?!

One more thing, I've started eating canned green beans again. I love them cold with some fat free italian dressing on them. I opened a regular size can the other night and put some dressing on it and I ate the entire thing for dinner! I wasn't overstuffed and I never got sick from it, but that seems like an awful big portion, doesn't it? It did take me about an hour to eat all of it and sometimes I'm still nursing the bad habit of eating in front of the tv. But, at 8 weeks post-op, what should portion sizes be? I know that I can eat whatever my pouch can handle, trying to get the protein in first, but I don't want to stretch it! And eating a whole taco, is that too much in one sitting?

I get most of my protein throughout the day from low fat cheese and chicken or some other lean meat. My fat grams are less than 25 grms a day. And I never eat any sugar.

What is your opinion on the portion sizes and the sodas? Anyone else having/had this problem?

[Lch]

soda, is a no no for sure. I am suprised it didn't just burbble right back up. ( i know that isn't a word , but... ) I don't have the answers for you, i am sure someone will. I would just say be careful and measure your food if you think you are taking in too much. But someone will be here shortly with a really good idea...

[Trulykath]

I stay away from sodas altogether...I drink water, tea, coffee, skim milk...I found Special K has a "kool aid" additive on the market that you can add to bottle water...no sugar, and it gives a regular bottle of water 5 grams of protein (strawberry kiwi or pink lemonade is what I found at walmart).

I LOVE green beans..I eat a lot of them, but I don't know that I could eat a whole can! I want to try this with the italian dressing you mentioned...it sounds yummy! I have pretty much banned any starches/carbs, so the taco shell is out for me...I try to avoid bread, rice etc...

I try to limit to no more than 10 grams of fat per day, and choosing fat free options and REALLY reading labels has made this easy...it's amazing how many "diet" items out there aren't really diet at all!

On the protein, I'm usually up around 60-70 grams a day, but I use PROFECT bullets, and Syntrax Nectar shakes....I also have my water intake at about 75 to 100 ounces a day....

It sounds like you are doing well...no sickness...keep up the great work!

[traciflud]

I have found some sugar free popsicles that are soda flavored and the root beer ones have gotten me through a few "episodes" of wanting a soda.

[fr1endly2]

I STILL HAVE NOT BROKEN THE NO NO SODA RULE.
i wasnt a coffee or tea drinker just my diet pepsi
and i have given it up!
i THINK EARLY out were you are
it will hurt with all the bubbly bloat
in that tiny pouch.
AS for the green beans different
foods fill us differently.
AND the mushie consistancy
of greenbeans compressed
wasnt as big as the can
in regular form.

DO be sure ur meals are protein enriched!
its important to keep you fuller longer
and protein heals.
hugs
and keep u pthe great work .

[MsVickie]

I have broken the soda rule......but.... on the Drs approval to get my sugar up when I know its fell to low. Its sprite..... I take it.... put it on ice... use a spoon and swish it around... until almost every bubble is gone. He told me only a sip at a time. It does bring my sugar back up so Im oriented enough. Put it this way. I buy a regualr bottle like the kind you would drink from. This bottle has lasted me over a month. Its good when I need that craving with a couple of sips it takes the want away.

[Jill]

Soda -- well I was missing it too -- and I'm over three months out. I finally tried some the other day. I had about 2 oz., over crused ice and waited until most of the fizz had gone out of it. It tasted good -- but I haven't really had that craving since. I guess i know I can have it (a little) now but its not important -- like sweets, I no longer crave those either. Its kinda cool.

[nygal]

yes! yes! yes!! where can i get some???!!!

Originally Posted by traciflud

I have found some sugar free popsicles that are soda flavored and the root beer ones have gotten me through a few "episodes" of wanting a soda.

[BOOTS]

Not For Me. Soda Is A Big No No. Just Not Worth It. If You Give In To Soda It Might Make You Crave Other Old Habits. Plus I Did Hear It Can Stretch The Pouch I Could Be Wrong.

As For The Greenbeans That Does Sound Very Good With The Dressing. Just Make Sure You Measure How Much Dressing You Use Because Even Though It Says Fat Free If You Use Alot It Can Get Very Very Fattening. The Reason You Were Able To Eat So Much Of The Green Beans In One Sitting Is Becaue It Was A Soft Mushy Food That Wasnt A Protein. Mushy Food Can Pass Thru The Pouch Faster Leaving Room For More Food Intake But I Wouldnt Worry Because Green Beans Are Harmless. Just Make Sure You Get Your Proteins In.