I think this is the hardest thing to get used to. I am post op 3 weeks, still on mushies, but the MA at the office suggested I start getting used to the no drinking 1 hour before or after eating. I have no fill at this time, first one is May 21st. I am getting hungry now, but I believe there is some restriction because I don't want to eat my arm yet...my Dr. told me about post op week 5 I will want to do this.. ha ha... Anyway....my Doctor's restrictions are very conservative. I am following them, but I have a few questions. If you start choking, you have to drink water right? What if something is spicy? I'm not even on solid foods yet, but I am just wondering how all of you handled this part of the Lapband?

double check with your dr. on that water thing. I have to wait five minutes before eating after drinking and 20 minutes after eating. I know alot of the docs have different guidelines but an hour before and after makes me wonder how you can get in all your water in a day...which for most of us is 64 ounces. I can't even get in half that though I try.

Every doctor seems to have their own "rules" for this one.

I was told I could drink right up until the time I start eating then again a half hour after.

However, studies have proven the no drinking thing may not even be necessary. food doesn't sit on the band like previously thought, it passes in less than a minute (as long as you are taking small enough bites and pausing between them). Being as food passes through quickly there is nothing to "wash away" as originally thought. So, many surgeons are now allowing band patients to sip liquids during meals and resume normal drinking immediately after.

Bottom line here...discuss this with your surgeon.

You have paid considerable money for their expertise as a medical professional. You should follow the guidelines they have set for you, as they base their opinions on their expertise and training.

My surgeon does allow drinking up to the time of a meal, as liquids pass through the band quickly, but I still am required to wait an entire hour after eating before resuming drinking.

I have found that waiting the hour post meal is much easier if before the meal I am properly hydrated.

Your surgeon should have the final word for you on this topic.

Remember, the members of this forum are not physicians!

Already discussed with surgeon. These are his guidelines. I'll talk to him again about it at my first fill. Thanks for the advice.

Every dr is different. Mine says 30 min before and 60 after. If you need to sip because of spicy you may but just sip. I just power through. If you cough because of something stuck drinking will not help. This is my dr rules always follow yours.

Good luck

wendy

Every doctor is different

My doctor told me drinking was fine... Like missy said food don't sit in pouch passes right trough

But your doctor knows best

Certainly drinking before a meal mainly in the Uk there are no restrictions regarding drinking before a meal as the liquid goes straight through the band and doesnt affect it at all, drinking during a meal i get stuck, if i have something like a casserole or like that it will get stuck due to the liquid content, but i understand that some people dont get stuck if they drink while they eat. As long as they follow the rules of sipping in between small bites etc.

My belief is that no one 'needs' to drink while they eat, its normally a habit formed at some point in their life which forms into a learned behaviour.

There is definitely a cultural difference too, here in the Uk it is not so common as the US, but thats what makes us all different. It is only in the last 15 yrs or so that a resturant here would even put water on a table unless u actually request it ..

I am not saying do or dont drink while you eat, but maybe its worth looking at why you want/need to, and how you came to that conclusion

Its always best to follow your doctors guidelines until you have a routine worked out and are steadily losing weight that gives u a stronger negotiating point with him regarding bending his rules a little !!