Do I Have to Give Up Diet Soda?

Question

I plan on asking my PS but wanted a couple other opinions in the meantime! I am a huge diet soda drinker (I work 3rd shift) and I have read on message boards that you shouldn't drink diet soda. My PS said the caffeine was fine but all the things I am reading says it makes the swelling worse......thank you!

Richard H. Tholen, MD, FACS · Answer

As with everything in life, moderation is a good thing, but avoiding diet sodas after surgery only makes you "cranky." You will have swelling even if you abstain completely from diet soda and/or caffeine, and the amount of swelling "increase" that might be attributed to diet soda influence is minimal to none.

	Everyone seems to have an "axe to grind" these days, whether it's diet soda, vaccinations, second-hand smoke, sun exposure, artificial dyes and colors in foods, etc.! Some have validity, many do not, but in moderation, you can enjoy your diet sodas! We even give them to our patients in the recovery room, so I practice what I preach.

	Cheers!

Delio Ortegon, MD · Answer

I am also a diet coke fan and can assure you that there are no known ill effects of diet soda on surgery.

Steven Turkeltaub, MD · Answer

Drinking diet soda should have no impact on a plastic surgery procedure whatsoever. You should make sure that you are on a well balanced diet in order to provide you with the best opportunity to heal.

Do I Have to Give Up Diet Soda?

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Do I Have to Give Up Diet Soda?

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