How Long After VSG Can You Drink Soda (And Why)?

How Long After VSG Can You Drink Soda (And Why)?

Exact Answer: 8-12 Months.

Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy, also known as VSG, is a surgery to help with weight loss wherein the surgeon removes a large part of the stomach. The smaller stomach is about the size of a banana. It limits the amount of food you can eat by making you feel full after eating a small amount of food.

This procedure is performed laparoscopically., which involves inserting few small instruments through multiple small incisions in the upper abdomen. During sleeve gastrectomy, about 80% of the stomach is removed, leaving just a tube-shaped stomach inside. Limiting the size of your stomach restricts the amount of food you can consume.

How Long After VSG Can You Drink Soda

How Long After VSG Can Your Drink Soda?

Types of SodaWhen to Drink After VSG
Highly sugary soda and soft drinksAdvised to strictly avoid
Calorie-free soft drinksAfter 2-3 months

Drinking carbonated beverages is definitely not advised for the first month after gastric sleeve surgery. This is because carbonation can seriously upset your stomach when consumed so soon after the surgery.

In addition, the procedure prompts certain hormonal changes that aid in the weight loss process. Thus, when one is seriously obese, one can consider having a VSG done to further protect himself from risks associated with being overweight like high blood pressure, heart disease, high cholesterol, stroke, type 2 diabetes, etc.

Drink Soda

However, before doing any surgery one must be completely aware of the sacrifices one will have to make to ensure that the surgery benefits in the long run. For that, it’s essential to note down the do’s and don’ts to follow after the procedure.

According to most doctors, the most common mistake which VSG patients make is the consumption of acidic carbonated drinks immediately after their gastric sleeve surgery. After VSG, varieties of carbonated drinks such as Cola and others must be strictly avoided in the first year. The main reason being that after these carbonated drinks are taken into the stomach, the stomach gets disturbed by stretching due to the gas output.

Why It Takes This Longer To Drink Soda After VSG?

Drinking soda after gastric sleeve surgery is not recommended. There are several reasons for it. Some of them are listed below. The very first reason what doctors refrain patients from having it is because of the extremely high amounts of sugar present in it. The main causes of people becoming obese are due to their frequent soda drinking habits.

The second reason to not drink soda after gastric sleeve surgery is that excessive carbonation causes your stomach to expand. Carbonation releases carbon dioxide (CO2), which takes up the volume inside your stomach. This will make it a bit more difficult for you to consume foods, particularly liquids. Bloating puts pressure on the incision and thus it must never be consumed in the immediate months after the surgery.

If you absolutely can’t go without the soda, limit your intake to a few sips only and allow it to get flat before consuming for less carbonation and irritation. Also, although you are advised not to drink soda, there are certain beverages that you are allowed to drink after getting gastric sleeve surgery. Thus, instead of soda, you may drink the following:

Drink Soda
  • Water: Hydration is absolutely necessary and what’s better for hydrating your body other than water. You must meet your daily hydration levels otherwise you may risk dehydration. Thus, replacing your old soda drinking habit with water will be extremely beneficial for you.
  • Calorie-free flavoured water: Many people might have a hard time giving up soda due to their lifelong soda or sugury juice drinking habits. Such people can try out calorie-free flavoured water.

Conclusion

Generally, carbonated drinks are not recommended by doctors after VSG but if you really want to have it in moderation, do so only after sufficient time is passed after your surgery so that you don’t risk yourself to any of its adverse effects. Soda has zero nutrients and can cause many issues like bloating, gas, acid reflux, decreased healing after surgery, and decreased weight loss.

It is a lifestyle change that you will need to commit yourself to and put conscious efforts forward to maintain your health. Always turn to water first before thinking about drinking soda for your own well-being post VSG.

References:

  1. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41366-019-0474-1
  2. https://search.proquest.com/openview/2a81bb9b1303af9234bc0911b1212a94/1?pq-origsite=gscholar&cbl=18750
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23 thoughts on “How Long After VSG Can You Drink Soda (And Why)?”

  1. It’s a very informative post. Still, needs a few humorous quips here and there to break up some of the monotony.

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