Ok, how many of you HONESTLY can eat without drinking anything? I have tried and tried but the food sticks right at the bottom of my throat and I can't swallow it without taking some liquid. And yes, I am chewing it to smithereens. I keep myself to small sips and as few as possible but I just don't think it is physically possible for me to eat anything without some liquid. I don't have any problem waiting the 40 minutes my fill doctor recommends after the meal and am not using the liquid to wash it down so I can eat more.

Anyone else have the same problem?

I felt the same way until I had enough fills and restriction. Now if I take even a small sip with food its PB time, Pain, Sliming, all the fun things. Keep trying, it will come to you. This was the most difficult thing I had to learn. But I did it, finally.

I honestly do not drink with meals. I can not drink with meals. There is only room for food or drink, not both.

When you are at appropriate restriction, you will not be able to eat and drink at the same time.

Maybe that is the issue then, I just had my second fill on Tuesday and although it is better I don't think I am at a real restriction yet - 1.4cc in a 4cc band so far. I can go back in 2 weeks for another fill which is one of the good things of being self-pay!

Thanks everyone - I was feeling like a complete failure not being able to stop the liquids!

Hi,

Believe it or not i dont drink with meals and believe me it was very hard to get used to that, But that's what this is all about...learning. It will come, and when u get great restriction u wont be able to. I noticed that you have the 4cc band, so do I. Not many have this size band. Good Luck!

I adhere to the rule for the same reason. I PB, slime...just can't do it. However my daughter, who was banded in March, can and does break the "golden" rule. I don't think she has enough restriction. The doctor does. He wins. So, this past appointment she didn't get a fill. I keep telling her it's bad but she does it any way. She even drinks some soda...I know...bad. And it's not diet either. But she's losing weight and the doctor is happy so...she does drink with her meals. I don't. Best wishes...

I really TRY not to drink with meals and I am normally successful with that. However, sometimes I just have to take a sip and what I have noticed since my last fill (now at 6.5cc total) is if I take a sip after I have eaten most of my food it actually HURTS going down. But taking another bite of food dose not??? Like maybe the liquid is having to squeeze past the food? This only just started after my last addition of 1cc. Hopefully this means I am getting closer to restriction because as time goes on it is getting harder and harder for me always eat the right things and my weight loss has been at a stand still for the last 2 MONTHS!

My doctor says to either keep a glass of ice and sip it as it melts while eating or pour out a shot glass of water to wet my mouth with. It is necessary for me to have some moisture with dry food because I have Sjogren's syndrome and that leaves my mouth so dry sometimes that I can choke. I try to sip then take a little food so it stays moist, rather than to eat solid food then drink.

I don't drink at all while eating but do work hard to keep the food really moist. I think I've used more salsa and other dressings since the band than I have in my entire life.

The only time I drink with my meal is when we go to PF Changs and I get the hot tea. I take small sips so it doesn't interfere with my meal. I usually order water when we go out just in case my food doesn't go down right. But when I am at work or at home I don't drink with my meal and wait an hour after before I have something to drink.

WOW, hopefully I will get there some day. I have only had one fill so far, next fill in about 2 weeks. Right now, not drinking something with my meals is very hard to do. This is going to be a hard habit to break!

I don't drink with my meals. I was taught that I needed the nutrients that food offers and that filling up with fluids would short change my body..............It just makes me think I want what is best for my body................We are in love

We were told too not to drink with meals but the last time I went for a unfill the doc told me that they had revised this and after testing several pts (I think doing a barium or similar) that it made no difference having a glass of Water with a meal and if I wanted to drink I could. Of course that was from my doctor. It amazes me the difference in guidelines etc from doc to doc. I do think that as time goes on they will revise and adjust previous thinking as more data comes to light.

Jo

I'm a really weird one because I didn't drink w/meals before the band. I would always drink a lot before and after a meal, but not during. I'd always fill my water or wine glass and it would still be sitting there at the end of the meal and then I'd have it after. So, now I just had to get used to not having the drink afterwards.

I started not drinking with meals months before being banded, now second nature. That being said one of the most successful bandsters I know (down 170) drinks soda with meals regularly....