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Are You Sure You Don't Want Anything To Drink?

I had my surgery January 10th. Moving along quite well, down 23lbs (hoping to be down 25lb by my first fill on Wed!). I've only gone out to a restaurant to eat three times since my surgery. Which by all accounts is a new world recordd according to the "Eat Out to get Fat Association of America". My family & I used to eat out at LEAST 4-5 times a week. I mean, really? Looking back on pre-band behavior is quite alarming and keeps me in check. We've sure as hell saved a lot of money!

 

In all three cases, as we were seated and the friendly waitress would say, "and what can I get you to drink?". As the orders go around the table, I simply say, oh no thanks, I'm not drinking anything......... silence with a stare of disbelief........."Are you SURE"?....Yes, I'm sure, thank you........shrug of shoulders, or looks of "what a crazy lady" are the norm in my world now. That was the one hurdle with getting banded that I thought I would have. I am basically a camel. I would drink at least two pitchers of iced tea with every meal. Now I have to time myself (and I mean I can tell you the SECOND I can drink something).

 

I've already gotten tired of people thinking that this is the most absurd thing not to order a drink with lunch or dinner, so now I order an iced tea if we go out and drink a few sips as I'm ordering. Typically that is enough time of 15 min. before my food gets there. Then I asked for a to-go cup and take it with me to drink as my half hour alarm goes off! Seems to keep the weird looks at bay!

13 Comments

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#MagicWithinme

LAP-BAND Patients

I get a water in a to go cup.

Iryshgreene

LAP-BAND Patients

I hear ya on this one! I usually get a glass of water when we get seated. I drink like crazy before the food comes, then have the server take it back when they bring the food. I count down the seconds until I can drink again, too! This is probably the weirdest habit change for me, since I would drink most of my fluids with meals before. I hope you hit your 25 lbs!

Char1020

LAP-BAND Patients

We are very similar! I was banded jan 11th and I'm down about the same...let me ask you, were you happy with what you lost so far or were you hoping for more? Because I was...

legnarevocrednu

LAP-BAND Patients

I just order water because it's free and I don't have to worry about the looks. And I don't really care about taking water to go haha. I usually have water bottles in my car so when the time is good and I can drink again, I just grab one of those.

Fit in my 60's

LAP-BAND Patients

I was wondering the same thing. My surgery is on Wednesday, but I figured when the time came I'd just order water and not drink it until later or not at all. I haven't told many people and not sure I can carry this off. I go to the movies every week with friends and only 1 person knows. We go to a deli first and I've already tested the soups to see which I could eat during this time. Will probably end up telling people but for some reason I am embarrassed because all of my other diets have failed. And these are skinny friends!! Stupid, I know.... So glad to hear that you all have lost weight so quickly b/c my nurse said not to expect to lose until my first fill in 5-6 weeks. Hope I can prove them wrong. Good luck all.

Guest

Guest

Guests

DO you feel differently when you can drink again after eating or do you just time it?

#MagicWithinme

LAP-BAND Patients

Its a frame of mind, I know I didn't grow up drinking something during dinner, my mom said if we did it would wash the flavor away and we would have to eat more, which is probably true, its just learning to drink around the meals. Its easier for me to drink after I've had a meal a agood hour (timed) afterwards. And if these ladies are your friends, truly, I would tell them, it would be great for you to have their support and they would be more concious of meal choices.

Good luck..

lisanj

LAP-BAND Patients

I am being banded on March 9th am not being able to drink is something I am worried about. Are you ever able to drink after eating? Or is that just for first couple months? And do you get used to it? It just seems so difficult because I am always drinking something. I keep a drink with me at all times.

Regnu

LAP-BAND Patients

I think you have no choice but to get used to it. It is going to be a big adjustment for me also. I would drink constantly through my meal. It's not for just a couple of months, it's forever. You don't want the liquids to flush the food through your upper pouch too fast because then you will get hungry sooner.

journey4me

LAP-BAND Patients

I I have also saved a lot of money not going out to eat. Sometimes after work I would stop and get something to eat and sit before I went home. Kind of my wind down time. I also used to go out to breakfast with a friend a couple times a week. I think going to breakfast with her makes her feel awkward because I don't eat like I used to. My friend and I used to walk into a regular dining spot and the waitress would have our diet pepsi's ready before we even got to the table. I will just order a glass of water and let it sit there. I can't believe how much money i have saved not getting my 32oz. diet pepsi in the morning at $1.75 everyday( over $50)... heck I can buy myself something nice with that money instead, although it usually ends up with the kids! Gave it up cold turkey!

mags2u

LAP-BAND Patients

We are very similar! I was banded jan 11th and I'm down about the same...let me ask you, were you happy with what you lost so far or were you hoping for more? Because I was...

I'm thrilled to death with my weight loss. I think because I've worked for it to. I work with a girl who had the sleeve done over a year ago. She lost quickly, but didn't work for it. She still doesn't exercise, she eats like **** and I'm proud at the fact that I've had to use some restraint. I HAVE been hungry between meals. This was such a life changing decision. I'm following my nutritionists recommendations, I'm exercising, so it feels real to have lost what I've lost. My goal is to lose another 50lbs by July and I know I can do it. Have you been filled yet? I just got filled today and LOOOOOVEEE being full between meals (only liquids today!). Keep in touch!

mags2u

LAP-BAND Patients

I am being banded on March 9th am not being able to drink is something I am worried about. Are you ever able to drink after eating? Or is that just for first couple months? And do you get used to it? It just seems so difficult because I am always drinking something. I keep a drink with me at all times.

It actually was easier than I thought. It becomes a game. I just look at the clock on my phone when I'm done eating and know what time I can drink. I actually practiced before surgery. I think it helped to do that to get used to it. But also, you will be full. Its weird, but it just works itself out.

ccsbulldog

LAP-BAND Patients

Not drinking before, during or after meals has been hard. it really makes me think about what I'm eating. I was advised not to drink an hour before, no drinking during and no drinking for an hour afterwards. I see that some people drink right up to the time they eat. Has anyone else been told not to drink an hour before? I also get water when we go out and just not drink it so avoid any questions.

Guest
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