Hey all,

Was it hard for you to get used to not being able to drink while eating a meal? I am used to drinking a lot while eating and am afraid that this will be really hard for me. How do you deal with thirst while eating? Any tips?

It really hasn't been hard at all for me...

Just one of those things I had to do to make this work.

Now I'm really just used to not drinking w/ meals, and I don't miss it:)

U should be ok.

It was difficult for me to get use to as well. They way I sorta got around it was to eat no sugar added fruit.

I thought it was going to be harder that it has. I drink up until my meal or will have tiny sips while I eat making sure I wait in between like I would bites of food.

I'm getting used to it but it is hard. I'm used to guzzling my drinks with my meals. I'm hoping over time it won't be a big deal.

You know the best part about it? I don't have to roll myself away from the table anymore. I used to eat way more and drink at least 2 drinks as well. No more getting stuffed till I can't move!

Could be worse, could be that we can't eat pizza anymore

My surgeon only recommends that I take 45 seconds between drinking and eating. Their philosophy is that the band doesn't hold food up in the upper pouch, but increases the sensation against the upper stomach from solid food, which tells our brain that we have eaten. When you eat liquidy solids (from eating and drinking in the same bite) the sensation isn't triggered, and satiety isn't reached as quickly.

Running scared,

That made no sense. If you are allowed to drink then as you say, the sensation isn't triggered? I don't get it? Or, your surgeon says that in 45 seconds the food has moved far enough that liquids won't defeat the purpose?

Just remember the reason you don't want to drunk while eating...don't want the food to slide down fast and you font want to stretch the pouch. It was hard at first and I really had to concentrate on this. Just think when you go out to eat it will cost less ( order portion and ice water to have) I don't drink it but it is more a mental safety thing I guess.

Skyvic is right. I forgot about stretching the pouch. So often I get the first 3 bites stuck for a few minutes and I remember thinking this one time that I'd just take a big swig of Water to wash it down. Ouch and ewww! Pain and a mess on the floor before I could make it to the sink. Won't do that again.

tmf

Nothing stays in the pouch, unless you are stuck, and you don't wash food from the stomach, because of the sphincter at the bottom.

The sensation of solid food moving past the upper stomach (where the pouch is) that triggers the brain to think you have eaten. Apparently that subtle feeling happens rather quickly with each bite, and so as long as the food is past there on its own, drinking isn't an issue, which is why 45 seconds between the two is enough.

Running scared,

I do believe your doctor is the ONLY one who says you can eat and drink?

Anyone else have their doctor tell them this?

I think I will stick to what I have been told. No drinking and eating!

I was told no drinking 30 minutes before or 60 minutes after.

Running scared,

I do believe your doctor is the ONLY one who says you can eat and drink?

Anyone else have their doctor tell them this?

I think I will stick to what I have been told. No drinking and eating!

My dr told us recently at support group that as long as you wait a minute after taking a small bite of food, then a small sip of Water is fine to drink while you eat. I only do so at dinner and it only adds up to a small amount of water. I would say less than a quarter cup.