Julie,
I miss the carbonated beverages but it has gotten so much easier. I drink iced tea and crystal lite for the most part. It has been so worth it that I really don't mind. If you follow the diet plan as prescribed you will not stretch your new pouch and the weight will come off and you will be so pleased with how good you feel. This is a rather long commitment since it is for the rest of your life. I can have a soda if I let it go flat first but I don't like them at all. Later on you might be able to have thin crust pizza. What they did at my center was to give you a list of fast food that you could have when you tolerated it, the size of the portion and the protein content. The rule in general is to avoid fast food but I am sure they knew people won't do that. It is a lot of trial and error, but check with your nutritionist later on, and see what they say. Since I have diverticulosis popcorn is not an option. I wonder how well it can be chewed. I don't even eat corn as it doesn't set well with me. In reality, there is probably very little you will be denied forever but you will have to be careful that things don't get out of hand. Look forward to better days as you continue on this journey. Try to focus on all the healthy things you CAN have now rather than the things you cannot have. Just the little trick I used as I progressed through the levels of my food plans. Joy