I just started the soft food stage this week and I am finding it hard to not drink when eating. Is this something that others have experienced? Is this a forever thing or something that should be done in the beginning?

It is a forever thing... toughest habit I ever had to break, not washing my food down. Try drinking a large glass of water before the mean. The liguid flushed food out of the stoma above the band so fast it sdoes not have time to help you feel the full sensations.

Drink a large glass of water before eating. I find the lower salt level the less thirsty I am.

yup, forever. It will get easier. I don't even notice it anymore.

Congrats on your banding.... best of luck!

Kb... watch the you tube video..... explains perfectly.... why no drinking for at least 30 min..... FOREVER

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Its a forever thing. It is one of the hardest habits to break.... I found I dont even have a glass of anything near me when I am eating... then the problem is resolved. If I am out to dinner I make sure to get rid of the water glass so I dont accidentially pick it up.

Well, there always has to be at least one contrarian in every thread so here goes. Go to about 6:30 minutes into this video. I'd recommend you watch all 4 videos. But, you should follow your doctors orders. Maybe 6 months out when you are one with the band you might want to experiment with drinking while eating but in the beginning, follow your doctor's orders. I did and it didn't seem to be that difficult.

Remember, 6:30 into the video and on:

My clinic also says the latest research shows that you can drink with your meal...but you have to wait at least one minute after each bite. But please check with your own clinic.

It is forever and I thought it would be super hard for me because I always had something to drink in my hand, but I have found that it isn't. I drink a lot while I'm not eating so that keeps me hydrated. Maybe that makes me want to not drink while I'm eating? Not sure. It will get better.

There are different thoughts on this and my Dr. even said they are starting to question weather it really matters or not but I can tell you with out a doubt, IF I DRINK WITH MY MEAL I EAT WAY MORE.

My doctor says that you can sip with your meal. I get why you shouldnt tho!

I've been drinking with my meals if I need to, per my surgeons instructions, I don't gulp if I need a sip I sip water wait my minute or two then continue. Down 80 pounds now and the drinking hasn't washed my food through nor left me hungry. You still need to follow the minute rule like between bites to be certain the food has passed through. Some can drink and they are fine and others can't.

Kb... watch the you tube video..... explains perfectly.... why no drinking for at least 30 min..... FOREVER

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Actually this demo is partially correct, the only amount of food in your pouch at the one time is that little bite you have swallowed, that's why you wait one minute for it to get squeezed through. If you have that much food sitting in your pouch then drink you had better run to the nearest bathroom fast.

Hello' date='

This is usual thing to drink while eating food. Drinking Water flushes foods from throat pipe and maintain passage for food in the mouth.[/quote']

Yes and that's why you need to follow the one minute rule before sipping, you give the food enough time to pass through the band.

Actually this demo is partially correct, the only amount of food in your pouch at the one time is that little bite you have swallowed, that's why you wait one minute for it to get squeezed through. If you have that much food sitting in your pouch then drink you had better run to the nearest bathroom fast.

How is this partially correct? Please explain in your vast knowledge of 4 months.

How is this partially correct? Please explain in your vast knowledge of 4 months.

I'd have to say it's mostly incorrect. The author is a bypass patient and his knowledge of lapband surgery seems to be what he's heard. In fact, it's the same BS I heard before I had surgery. Maybe this was the story back in 2009 but seems as though the story or theory behind the band efficacy has moved some?

Bob P(youtube author) seems to believe that we carry around a half cup or so of food in our pouch and that is what makes us feel full? He's right if that were the case but we now know that the pouch is simply a staging area for the food to pass through in one minute or less. Filling the pouch is not what satiates us. It's the rhythm of the pouch massaging the food through the band that is supposed to give us that satiated feeling. At least that's what the story is this year? But, no, we aren't supposed to carry around food above the band for a couple of hours.

Drinking while eating is a subject best left to each of us but only after we have become one with our band and have this symbiotic relationship that so many have found. Until we understand and can wisely use our tool should we deviate from our doctor's pre-programmed plan. jmo

tmf