Yes you can drink and eat at the same meal time

I do drink while I eat. It is my weakness. I was banded last Oct and I have had a single incident where it came back up immediately. Other than that, no problems, and my ticker shows how much weight I have lost. Granted it is a slow weight loss compared to some others. But I am content with it so far. Like many of you I have made so many changes to my diet. If only I could defeat this one last thing................

If food only stays above the band for a few minutes, how does it work to make us feel full then? I thought the whole idea was for the pre-band area to fill, we feel full, we stop eating, thereby eating less. Now you're saying that's not true? Then what good is it?

If food only stays above the band for a few minutes, how does it work to make us feel full then? I thought the whole idea was for the pre-band area to fill, we feel full, we stop eating, thereby eating less. Now you're saying that's not true? Then what good is it?

Hi Amanda,

To answer your question I'll refer you to the Lap Band Surgery page on my website. I have created a PDF file which is a cut and paste from my book which explains how the lap band works in very simple non-scientific language. Have a read then ask further questions. You will find the file at the bottom of the page. http://www.globalgastricbandsolutions.com.au/expert-advice/lap-band-surgery/

Hi Amanda,

To answer your question I'll refer you to the Lap Band Surgery page on my website. I have created a PDF file which is a cut and paste from my book which explains how the lap band works in very simple non-scientific language. Have a read then ask further questions. You will find the file at the bottom of the page. http://www.globalgas...p-band-surgery/

Helen,

Thanks for sharing that PDF. While I still have concerns about drinking while eating, I had to laugh when I saw your funnel diagram because it's so similar to the diagram I created for the chapter in Bandwagon on how the band works. Surely this proves that agreement and disagreement can co-exist without obliterating a common truth!

If food only stays above the band for a few minutes, how does it work to make us feel full then? I thought the whole idea was for the pre-band area to fill, we feel full, we stop eating, thereby eating less. Now you're saying that's not true? Then what good is it?

By all means, read Helen's excellent PDF, but the short version is that the presence of the band against the upper stomach, and the action of the stomach as it contracts and expands to break down solid food and move it south, triggers the vagus nerves in the upper stomach to send satiety signals to your brain.

Thank you Helen and Jean! I was feeling discouraged after little weight loss. Now I see I have much more to learn. I am going to make an appt with my surgeon today to discuss this with him and see about a fill. Maybe I never made it to the "green zone".

I don't wait 1-2 minutes between each and every bite. So, some of the food would back-up into the pouch, yes?

Helen, did the studies have the patients eat an entire meal or a few bites? I am sorry, but I could not wade through all the statistical "mumbo jumbo" (for lack of a better term) to get through the entire thing.

Like Humming Bird, if I drink during a meal, often times it leads to dire consequences and much pain. Early on I could, but as I got more fill, it became less practical.

Helen,

Thanks for sharing that PDF. While I still have concerns about drinking while eating, I had to laugh when I saw your funnel diagram because it's so similar to the diagram I created for the chapter in Bandwagon on how the band works. Surely this proves that agreement and disagreement can co-exist without obliterating a common truth!

I had to laugh,what a tongue twister,I am impressed. So we agree on the functioning but choose to use it in a way that suits us personally. Perfect.

I don't wait 1-2 minutes between each and every bite. So, some of the food would back-up into the pouch, yes?

Helen, did the studies have the patients eat an entire meal or a few bites? I am sorry, but I could not wade through all the statistical "mumbo jumbo" (for lack of a better term) to get through the entire thing.

Like Humming Bird, if I drink during a meal, often times it leads to dire consequences and much pain. Early on I could, but as I got more fill, it became less practical.

We are looking at a meal. As more Fluid goesin the band the more time consuming the meal becomes. Just workout for as an individual what amount of Fluid suits your lifestyle.

Today I saw a client who was not keen to eat so slowly to avoid blocks, so I suggested she remove 0.2ml to help avoid her frustrations,but the band will still provide adequate control of her appetite.

At times it can all be too much. I am passionate about ensuring the band is not too tight. This needs to be a personal decision.

We are looking at a meal. As more Fluid goesin the band the more time consuming the meal becomes. Just workout for as an individual what amount of Fluid suits your lifestyle.

Today I saw a client who was not keen to eat so slowly to avoid blocks, so I suggested she remove 0.2ml to help avoid her frustrations,but the band will still provide adequate control of her appetite.

At times it can all be too much. I am passionate about ensuring the band is not too tight. This needs to be a personal decision.

I feel that often we ask for our bands to be too tight in the hopes of speeding up weight loss, it doesn't work and invariably leads to problems (my layperson opinion only).

It would be interesting if we could all do a barium coated meal. We might be on our way to finding the perfect fill level. Today I am having an Upper GI with a barium coated sandwich. My second, as I feel I am a little too tight, and like your client, I am unwilling to take bites that small and wait that long between as to not get stuck. Even with my best efforts, I am getting stuck once or twice a week, too often in my book.

My weight is at a normal BMI and my bloodwork is all good. I do not need my band this tight. As I am 4.5 years out, my surgeon always runs an Upper GI before and adjustment to be sure all is well.

I will work with my surgeon as to how much to take out. My last fill was .25cc. I think maybe .1cc will be a perfect amount to remove.

I found this article that relates to the topic, only this is from a well known surgeon in the US.

What We Know from Successful Lapband Patients

• Posted on 05.27.12
  
• Band Help
  
• 2 Comments
  

There are several characteristics that we have identified from those patients who are successful with their band. Sometimes what we find out from them surprises us, and changes the way we think about the band. But we spend a lot of time with our successful patients, and learn from them as to what we can do to help others.

All I do is install a tool. It is up to you to use it

The band is a tool

One lovely patient of mine said that if I told her this one more time she would choke me. But this is what our patients who lose their excess weight tell me. “The band doesn’t do the work,” Bill told me, “I’m doing the work. The band just makes it possible.” Bill has had his band for five years. When he came to me he weighed over 300 pounds at five foot six inches, and was not a happy man. He now weighs 160 pounds, but he will tell you that he works at this every day. He eats healthy food, he measures his food, and when he needs to get an adjustment, he comes in. Recently Bill had a bit of pouch dilation so we had to remove Fluid for a few weeks and rehabilitate his band (he had been eating a bit too fast over the last months and started to notice heart burn.). During the band rehabilitation Bill gained 2 pounds.

X-rays of successful patients

Take a piece of food, like meat, and put some x-ray material on it (kinda ruins the taste) and have a successful patient eat it. How fast do you think it goes from above the band to below the band? Pretty quickly- usually less than a minute, but for most about 30 seconds.

We use to think that food stayed above the band and slowly dripped down – like coffee through Mr. coffee filters. But it doesn’t. Food, in successful patients- goes through quickly.

What about patients who are not successful and talk to us about wanting the band tighter and more “restricted.” Their food stays above the band longer. They have more episodes of “productive burps” more trouble with meats and vegetables. But if you ask the unsuccessful patient they will tell you, “I know my band, and this is how I lost weight before.” It probably wasn’t- but now they think the answer is to make the band tighter and tighter.

Drinking and eating

Successful patients eat and drink at the same time. We use to think this wasn’t a good idea, and some patients from those days don’t eat and drink at the same time- and tell us it makes a difference.

Exercise

Did you know that 77% of our successful patients exercise. Lots do weight training, some cardio, but they work out and do it a lot and enjoy it. A very small per cent did that before the band. Exercise isn’t how they stay thin- but if you ask them, “When I exercise, I don’t want to waste calories on something stupid and give up all I did.”

Unsuccessful patients tell us they didn’t exercise last month (the month before they came to the office).

Measure Everything

Measure everything

They don’t “eyeball it,” they measure it. And in fact, they often don’t trust their own eyes because when they don’t measure for a few days and then test themselves they are shocked at how much they start to eat. Jacquie weighed 260 pounds when she started with us. One year later she weighed 130 pounds. What was her secret — she measured everything, “Everything I ate I put in those little cups.” Oh, after a year she got her first fill (her band was a bit lose).

Unsuccessful patients tell us “I eat less than I ever did, and I just don’t understand.” Do they measure? No- they eyeball. Test this right now – get a measuring cup out and cut up the meat you would think is your portion for dinner.

Successful patients know that they eat less for the first year or 18 months, then they increase the amount. Unsuccessful patients increase the amount.

Never hungry, never full

“I just live by never being hungry, but I never want to get full either,” said one of our patients. She ate every four hours, but never much, and she had gone from 220 to 125 in a year.

Patients who are not successful tell us that they “can eat more than I should.” The answer is, they always could eat more – the band does not physically prevent them. But when you eat to feeling “full” you will eat more than you should. When you know how much you need to eat to avoid getting hungry, and not go over that, the answer is weight loss.

Accountability

Everyone has setbacks. But successful patients get up, come back in, and get adjusted. Sometimes it is their head, sometimes it is there band.

Unsuccessful patients blame everything but themselves: be it drugs they are taking, a lack of exercise, or stress. The successful patient learns from the mistakes they made, know their trigger and figure it out. We had one patient get upset because she was on prednisone, had thyroid issues, had orthopedic issues, and just thought we were not nice because we didn’t accept that as an excuse (we would have the first time, maybe the second time, but a year of excuses to not lose weight with the band).

Food restrictions

Successful patients will tell you that they eat differently now than before surgery. Unsuccessful patients tell us that their diet can’t change because they are picky eaters, and their diets have not changed. In spite of signing the consent form, which on page 2 says they are willing to change lifestyle- these patients don’t change the most fundamental issue- what they eat, and where they eat it. Bad food, and too much of it, is bad food.

Visits

Successful patients see us about 6-11 times the first year, and 4-6 the second. Unsuccessful patients see us either much less – or a few see us more.

Want to change?

Consider this- there is nothing that is difficult if you are willing to change. Let the lapband be the tool. Our 90 day challenge is meant for those who either need to re-focus, get rid of things, and then begin again. Never stay down- always come back.

http://azlapband.com/blog/what-we-know-from-successful-band-patients/

That's quite a leap and reckless to write about this...I believe it is not advisable to challenge the instructions most every one of us have received from our individual doctors about NOT eating and drinking at the same time.

I would challenge your statements and say that it would take many more studies on this same topic to statistically validate the accuracy of the information you shared. Anyone who has a background in statistical evaluation knows that ALL studies are flawed in one aspect or another. ONE study which publishes their findings is not the "gold card determiner" of the accuracy of the rules as we know them to be.

Please validate your writings with citing additional sources and studies prior to telling ALL if us to change the rules...BTW, when and from what university have you earned your MD degree?????

I will also continue to follow the instructions given to me by my surgeon; he seems to be quite knowledgeable on the topic, and most importantly, we get good results with weight loss if we adhere to those instructions!

I just read all the posts regarding this eat with the lap band and I feel that helen was not telling ANYONE to drink and eat together, she simply stated that the research she has states that YOU can, not that YOU should. I think people should take the time to read things and interrupt them for what they are stating not for what they think they are stating. I dont feel that any comments on this forum should matter if you have a master degree, bachelors of MD, it is a forum that is for posting to help each other, not argue with each other. what you choose to do as an individual is your choice but I never read anywhere that Helen was stating to drink and not listen to your surgeon. the reserach is interesting and its nice to read that there may possibly be a different way of succeeding with the lap band but by all means do what is best for you and consult with your surgeon first. good luck to everyone

I found this article that relates to the topic, only this is from a well known surgeon in the US.

What We Know from Successful Lapband Patients

• Posted on 05.27.12
  
• Band Help
  
• 2 Comments
  

There are several characteristics that we have identified from those patients who are successful with their band. Sometimes what we find out from them surprises us, and changes the way we think about the band. But we spend a lot of time with our successful patients, and learn from them as to what we can do to help others.

All I do is install a tool. It is up to you to use it

The band is a tool

One lovely patient of mine said that if I told her this one more time she would choke me. But this is what our patients who lose their excess weight tell me. “The band doesn’t do the work,” Bill told me, “I’m doing the work. The band just makes it possible.” Bill has had his band for five years. When he came to me he weighed over 300 pounds at five foot six inches, and was not a happy man. He now weighs 160 pounds, but he will tell you that he works at this every day. He eats healthy food, he measures his food, and when he needs to get an adjustment, he comes in. Recently Bill had a bit of pouch dilation so we had to remove Fluid for a few weeks and rehabilitate his band (he had been eating a bit too fast over the last months and started to notice heart burn.). During the band rehabilitation Bill gained 2 pounds.

X-rays of successful patients

Take a piece of food, like meat, and put some x-ray material on it (kinda ruins the taste) and have a successful patient eat it. How fast do you think it goes from above the band to below the band? Pretty quickly- usually less than a minute, but for most about 30 seconds.

We use to think that food stayed above the band and slowly dripped down – like coffee through Mr. coffee filters. But it doesn’t. Food, in successful patients- goes through quickly.

What about patients who are not successful and talk to us about wanting the band tighter and more “restricted.” Their food stays above the band longer. They have more episodes of “productive burps” more trouble with meats and vegetables. But if you ask the unsuccessful patient they will tell you, “I know my band, and this is how I lost weight before.” It probably wasn’t- but now they think the answer is to make the band tighter and tighter.

Drinking and eating

Successful patients eat and drink at the same time. We use to think this wasn’t a good idea, and some patients from those days don’t eat and drink at the same time- and tell us it makes a difference.

Exercise

Did you know that 77% of our successful patients exercise. Lots do weight training, some cardio, but they work out and do it a lot and enjoy it. A very small per cent did that before the band. Exercise isn’t how they stay thin- but if you ask them, “When I exercise, I don’t want to waste calories on something stupid and give up all I did.”

Unsuccessful patients tell us they didn’t exercise last month (the month before they came to the office).

Measure Everything

Measure everything

They don’t “eyeball it,” they measure it. And in fact, they often don’t trust their own eyes because when they don’t measure for a few days and then test themselves they are shocked at how much they start to eat. Jacquie weighed 260 pounds when she started with us. One year later she weighed 130 pounds. What was her secret — she measured everything, “Everything I ate I put in those little cups.” Oh, after a year she got her first fill (her band was a bit lose).

Unsuccessful patients tell us “I eat less than I ever did, and I just don’t understand.” Do they measure? No- they eyeball. Test this right now – get a measuring cup out and cut up the meat you would think is your portion for dinner.

Successful patients know that they eat less for the first year or 18 months, then they increase the amount. Unsuccessful patients increase the amount.

Never hungry, never full

“I just live by never being hungry, but I never want to get full either,” said one of our patients. She ate every four hours, but never much, and she had gone from 220 to 125 in a year.

Patients who are not successful tell us that they “can eat more than I should.” The answer is, they always could eat more – the band does not physically prevent them. But when you eat to feeling “full” you will eat more than you should. When you know how much you need to eat to avoid getting hungry, and not go over that, the answer is weight loss.

Accountability

Everyone has setbacks. But successful patients get up, come back in, and get adjusted. Sometimes it is their head, sometimes it is there band.

Unsuccessful patients blame everything but themselves: be it drugs they are taking, a lack of exercise, or stress. The successful patient learns from the mistakes they made, know their trigger and figure it out. We had one patient get upset because she was on prednisone, had thyroid issues, had orthopedic issues, and just thought we were not nice because we didn’t accept that as an excuse (we would have the first time, maybe the second time, but a year of excuses to not lose weight with the band).

Food restrictions

Successful patients will tell you that they eat differently now than before surgery. Unsuccessful patients tell us that their diet can’t change because they are picky eaters, and their diets have not changed. In spite of signing the consent form, which on page 2 says they are willing to change lifestyle- these patients don’t change the most fundamental issue- what they eat, and where they eat it. Bad food, and too much of it, is bad food.

Visits

Successful patients see us about 6-11 times the first year, and 4-6 the second. Unsuccessful patients see us either much less – or a few see us more.

Want to change?

Consider this- there is nothing that is difficult if you are willing to change. Let the lapband be the tool. Our 90 day challenge is meant for those who either need to re-focus, get rid of things, and then begin again. Never stay down- always come back.

http://azlapband.com...-band-patients/

Very interesting article, thanks for sharing!

I will continue to follow my surgeons instructions, as none of them have posed any hardship for me, and the results have been positive ones.

I just read all the posts regarding this eat with the lap band and I feel that helen was not telling ANYONE to drink and eat together, she simply stated that the research she has states that YOU can, not that YOU should. I think people should take the time to read things and interrupt them for what they are stating not for what they think they are stating. I dont feel that any comments on this forum should matter if you have a master degree, bachelors of MD, it is a forum that is for posting to help each other, not argue with each other. what you choose to do as an individual is your choice but I never read anywhere that Helen was stating to drink and not listen to your surgeon. the reserach is interesting and its nice to read that there may possibly be a different way of succeeding with the lap band but by all means do what is best for you and consult with your surgeon first. good luck to everyone

I still contend that via your published writing that informing people it's alright to modify the rules they live by with their band without first consulting with their physician is NOT sound judgement. If you are in a medical or allied profession there are considerations about publishing information which, in my professional opinion, goes beyond the scope of the author's professional practice. I also wrote that if she has the research, she should have cited the research studies if she wanted to publish what she did. That was my message; as you seem to have missed it.

I think people should take the time to read things and interrupt them for what they are stating not for what they think they are stating...to quote you...

I am all about self determination and being one's own best advocate...and I do read posts and have an opinion about them, as you do. I tend to want to "interpret" what I read, while according to your writing you seem to "interrupt" it instead.

We all are going to have an opinion, and I, just as you are entitled to have an opinion. All participants on this forum have the same rights. The First Amendment...no argument intended, but a discussion. There was no scientific data cited or published with the article. I have been trained to accept nothing at face value scientifically unless and until I can read the journal it came from, and read the actual research data. Is there something the matter with that? You seem to believe there is...another difference of opinion...

If you took the time to review my post content (not just this thread) you would read many posts which are both supportive and informative, which is the essence of a supportive community and wanting to help others as others have helped me.

I hope that you are more calm now if you read this; and you did the correct thing to write about your feelings. That's very therapeutic, and it also helps with the accuracy of communication.

Your mileage may vary...and best of luck to you!

I still contend that via your published writing that informing people it's alright to modify the rules they live by with their band without first consulting with their physician is NOT sound judgement. If you are in a medical or allied profession there are considerations about publishing information which, in my professional opinion, goes beyond the scope of the author's professional practice. I also wrote that if she has the research, she should have cited the research studies if she wanted to publish what she did. That was my message; as you seem to have missed it.

I think people should take the time to read things and interrupt them for what they are stating not for what they think they are stating...to quote you...

I am all about self determination and being one's own best advocate...and I do read posts and have an opinion about them, as you do. I tend to want to "interpret" what I read, while according to your writing you seem to "interrupt" it instead.

We all are going to have an opinion, and I, just as you are entitled to have an opinion. All participants on this forum have the same rights. The First Amendment...no argument intended, but a discussion. There was no scientific data cited or published with the article. I have been trained to accept nothing at face value scientifically unless and until I can read the journal it came from, and read the actual research data. Is there something the matter with that? You seem to believe there is...another difference of opinion...

If you took the time to review my post content (not just this thread) you would read many posts which are both supportive and informative, which is the essence of a supportive community and wanting to help others as others have helped me.

I hope that you are more calm now if you read this; and you did the correct thing to write about your feelings. That's very therapeutic, and it also helps with the accuracy of communication.

Your mileage may vary...and best of luck to you!

sounds to me like you just like to argue, good luck to you