Why is it that we are not supposed to drink 30 mins prior to eating, during, or 30 mins after eating?

I know this one..lol. Before so you don't fill yourself up with liquid. During as it can help your food through. If you add Water to food it changes consistency. Goes through easily.. After because if your full it puts pressure on food working its way down and clears your stomach faster. You get hungry again more quickly.. Hope that helps

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You will see that different bandsters have different guidelines. For instance, some are allowed to drink up until eating time but not during or 30 even 45 mins after eating.

In addition to what Zingy shared, you have to also understand that your new pouch can only hold about 1c of food. Despite being a slider (or not), Water will compound the total volume being held in the upper stomach "pouch". You risk dilatation or stretching the pouch if this is done consistently.

Additionally, as you fill your pouch during eating, the vagus nerve is compressed. This nerve is responsible for sending the message to the brain that you are full and this will result in being satisfied on less food. If you eat too fast (easy to do w/ sliders) or if you wash the food in the pouch too quickly you may not achieve that stimuli needed and will still hungry.

It's a hard thing to master. 4 years out and I still have to consciencely think about waiting. Today was the first time I told a waitress no drink please..strange feeling lol.

It really depends on your surgeon. More often lately, doctors are changing their rules on liquids because they now know food passes through band in less than a minute. It doesn't actually sit in the pouch, in fact it shouldn't and if it does you're at higher risk for erosion, so there isn't anything to "wash through" the band as originally thought.

Some will allow drinking normally before and after with little sips between bites while eating. Some are still very strict and insist on no liquids.

When it doubt, just follow your doctor's instructions.

Good info guys, thanks! Zingy, I did notice that I could eat more when I drank during my meals. So, I am definately sticking to no drinking during the meal. It does put a damper on having a glass of wine with dinner. But I guess we shouldn't be drinking alcohol anyway. I am trying to be really good this time and get all the rules down. Any veterans know of any good basic breakdown of lapband do's and don'ts literature that I can brush up on? Thanks!