I was a pepsi-holic before surgery and I waited 3 months after surgery before trying a diet pepsi (I had no soda before that). I drink 2 a day with no problems and believe diet soda is God's gift to WLS -- I had an RNY. I believe that you should see what works for you. If it doesn't work, find a good alternative. Crystal lite seems to do well for a lot of people, too, but I don't like it much personally. I have to have the bubbles. I also drink beer on occasion with no problems, but I did wait about 6 months before trying that again. I was never one to follow all the rules. If I was, I would never have had to have the surgery in the first place. Having the surgery didn't change that. I eat what I want to as long as it feels right and I experiment so I know what I can and can't tolerate, however I would wait until the tummy is all healed before doing anything like that. I believe that anyone should be able to eat what they like -- in moderation. This is applicable before surgery, but we all didn't do this. When I go to McDonalds now, I get a cheeseburger all american value meal (it isn't listed on their menu but they have it) for about 2.50 and it is basically a happy meal with a little larger drink and no toy. I can eat all the fries and half the burger. If I had eaten like that before surgery, I would have never had a weight problem. But I didn't
). Wendy's chili is also great and goes down smooth. I love chicken thighs because they are juicy and not stringy. I don't worry too much about protein as I try to get a wide variety in my diet and always have something protein within every meal. I eat out for lunch nearly every day and sometimes at night -- I work and go to school and have teenagers so it is more practical for me. My advice -- take it easy after surgery for a while. Follow your doctor's orders until you are entirely healed. When he gives the green light, experiment a little to see your limitations, and EAT because those who don't, don't lose all their weight. And stay away from the sweets. You can only eat a little bit at time so you are eating to survive after surgery and sweets don't give you any nutrition whatsoever. I have to have something sweet every day, but it is usually a bite or two and that's it. This surgery forces you to eat like you should eat -- 6 small meals a day. If you adhere to that rule, you won't go wrong unless you are eating all bad things all the time. I know a lady in my office who had her surgery done a year after me and she has only lost 80 pounds. She gained 20 pounds over the holidays and the only way she could have done that was by eating constant sweets (she can tolerate them, I can't). She also starved herself to boost her weight loss in the beginning, and she is not the only one I know in that situation. Just my two cents
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Char