Remind Me Again - Why No Liquids?

[sman342 13]

Please don't jump all over me because I know I should know the answer to one of the pillars of lap-band rules.....

but if you could remind me what the big deal about no liquids before/during/after.

Seems like if I am getting a little "stuck" some Water would help.

Look forward to a response. Thank you.

[Banterwonder 63]

Most surgeons recommend that a banded person can drink up until solid food intake. No liquids during solid food meals as the liquid will cause the solids to pass through your pouch more quickly( essentially creating "sliders" out of your solid food. The outcome may be that you eat more because the solids are sliding through and you do not feel full.

Same reason for no liquids for some time period after the solid food meal.

My surgeon recommends 30 minute wait after solid food.

[acoleman380 23]

You know i was reading my post op instructions last night and it said you may sip Water with your meals. Seems weird i thought.....

[A New New Dawn 1,695]

Most doctors prescribe no liquids half hour before/after meals; however, there are some like yours that are ok with it. I would just follow what your surgeon recommends is ok. There are varied opinions on this.

I will share though that for me during a "stuck" moment, the last thing I want in my belly is liquid. It adds to the pressure/pain or makes me even more nauseous. However, that is just my experience.

[DELETE THIS ACCOUNT! 12,703]

Unfortunately, this is another case where every surgeon has a different idea what's best.

Mine also says it's fine to drink right up until I start eating, no drinking while eating, and I can begin drinking again 30 minutes after eating. However, I've seen people who've been instructed to wait an hour before and after eating to drink even.

The logic behind the no drinking while eating is that they don't want the Fluid washing food through the band too quickly. However, it's important to note recent studies show that food doesn't sit on top the band before passing for more than a minute anyway. So really, if that's true, then if you wait a couple minutes after a bite to take a drink then it shouldn't matter.

Still, I would simply do what your particular surgeon recommends. It's the safest and best bet.

[2muchfun 8,927]

Like others have said, follow your doctors orders. But, Banderwonder and a new dawn are both right. I can't drink and be stuck at the same time. The pressure just increases and causes a lot of sliming.

There are some doctors here in the states and many in Australia who recommend that you can drink right up to a meal and then you can sip fluids one minute after each bite. One even recommends wine with your meal.

The video series from Dr. O'Brien are incredibly informative. This is part 3, go to about the 6:30 mark to learn more about his take on fluids with meals. Good luck.

[brlgirl 112]

My dr. said that it was recommended to take small sip between bites at it helps to move the food down. I have found that I am much more comfortable if I take a small sip between bites...especially if it is spicy or dry (like the chicken I had the other night). I am very midful not to take huge drinks and lots of times my glass is still pretty full when I'm finished eating.

[hely88 883]

I have to wait 60 minutes and the are the hardest minutes of the day!

[hely88 883]

Enjoyed watching. The video. It was cool seeing another dr advocating half cup meals however my doctor says 3/4 should be Protein. A lot of what he said was very interesting however a lot of what he said is not what my doctor approves. Everyone should always listen to their doctors first.

Thanks for sharing I did learn some things

[DELETE THIS ACCOUNT! 12,703]

This is an another example of why I wish all Lap Band surgeons followed a set protocol. It would be so much easier for us if they all followed the same "rules"!

[☠carolinagirl☠ 18,721]

i can drink up to when i start to eat and then instructed to wait 30 min afterwards. i have not been stuck yet but *in my thoughts/opinion only*, if one is stuck, and you drink, it would not help. but i have no idea so i cant reference that.

i guess just do what your doctor suggested. everyone is different and you will get many opinions.

[FLORIDAYS 3,040]

I was advised not to drink 30 minutes before or 30 minutes after eating. As I have become one with my band I find I am fine drinking before I eat. But if I try to drink after I eat, the liquids tend to push up my food and I get to taste it again or worse have to dispose of it... not pleasant.

My Dr and I discussed drinking before eating and he is fine with it but mostly because I have been pretty successful and know my band very well.

If I get stuck which is rare... drinking doesnt help at all and the liquid just comes back up;.

But as we all say...best to check with your Dr. Thats what he is there for.

[destynee1 417]

That was a very interesting video, and it makes sense. Some dr. who are probably more strict with the Water during meals is probably because they were so use to setting that guideline. New information isn't always taken well by some or are skeptic. I'll ask mine about some of this. My bf did ask when can I drink alcohol again, I wasn't sure actually so I said next month. lol. ( occasionally )

[Kime-lou 648]

I am the same as Missy and Carolina Girl, I can drink until I start eating, but once I start no liquid until 30 min after I finish my meal. My nutritionist said that drinking during the meal, pushes the food through quicker, all WLS pt are told this including gastric bypass pt. I tried drinking during a meal once and it's true I was hungry much quicker, so I just choose not to drink during meals, will drink a glass of Water before and one 30 min after.

[August_Alberta 6]

It is a very good question Smart, and as you can see, no set answer.

I'm 28 months post surgery a d from my experience I cannot drink while I eat. I do drink a 6 oz glass of Water prior to lunch and dinner and have a green tea 1/2 hour after dishes are done and clean up finished. If I did try to drink during my meal, whatever was in my pouch would turn into what felt like a all of food and inevitably I would end up vomiting. Only took a couple of times to realize I can't drink and eat at the same time

I've learned to eat in a totally different way. My plate is a tea saucer, my meals and Snacks are still weighed or portioned and put into small bowls, vessels; my fork is put down after every bite. Takes me a long time to eat but it's worked for me. Lost 158 lbs, had my exess skin removal surgery and am a totally different woman.

Good Luck to you and do what works for you!