I got instructions to not drink before OR after my meals for 30 minutes.

The 30/30 rule.

Can anyone explain why? Did anyone's surgeon tell them this same thing?

Will it be bad, or is it just so we feel full and get nutrients instead of flushing them?

I just can't remember and was wondering if anyone had an explanation for me for now?

Thanks!

I was told that too. I really dont thing anyone should drink w meals. I think it will fill us up faster and there is something about the digestion process that get interrupted. I know that digestion starts in the mouth and we are supposed to take small bites and chew until it is almost a liquid. Of course that will help us to eat more slowly...which has been a major problem for me.

I found out not to drink while eating recently. I was at a seafood restaurant and I ordered talapia. I am about 1 month post op and felt that would be soft and easy. Well I had drank some protein water waiting for a table and when my order came I could only eat 2 bites and it got stuck! Very uncomfortable and ended up losing it in the rest room, just slid right back out. I won't do that again! So there is just no room, maybe later on you can have liquid but certainly for me not now..

My instructions were the same with the band, but with the sleeve, I can drink right up until I take the first bite. I do wait the 30-45 minutes to drink anything after eating.

Because our stomach is still fully-functioning, the pyloric valve opens up and the Fluid empties quickly. Now, once we put food in there, it fills up and it takes time for the food to digest. If you drink once you're eating more solid food, you will flush that food more quickly therefore you'll lose satiety/that lovely full feeling. It also hurts if you drink something while eating. Your stomach is super tiny, so food, especially dense Protein should take up the room first.

Now, with that being said, I'm at 7 months out, and I can take tiny sips with a meal. When I say "tiny sips", I mean just enough liquid to "wet my whistle" like when eating chips/salsa, or something super spicy. I never take a full drink while eating.

I take very small sips of water as I eat. I know, not supposed to, but I do. It just makes things go down easier, and I feel feel just fine about doing this. I also need to burp a bit as I eat, and sometimes get up and walk just a bit, and this makes it easier on me. I figure water is just important to my eating sanely. It takes me 20-30 minutes to eat a "full" meal as it is, and the water greases the pipes and helps things "slide" down just a bit better. I love being a rabble-rouser. :biggrin0:

I am pre-op and this was the hardest thing for me to learn. It got down to the point of while setting my table I just didnt put a glass out for myself. And if someone else set the table thankfully my hubby snatches it and puts it away for me.

But as said before its so you can get all the good stuff from your food and not just wash it away with the Water or what ever it is you drink.

It's not as hard to do as you think. I had to learn to not drink while eating when I had the band. It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. I had a harder time waiting to drink after I ate.

I take very small sips of water as I eat. I know, not supposed to, but I do. It just makes things go down easier, and I feel feel just fine about doing this. I also need to burp a bit as I eat, and sometimes get up and walk just a bit, and this makes it easier on me. I figure water is just important to my eating sanely. It takes me 20-30 minutes to eat a "full" meal as it is, and the water greases the pipes and helps things "slide" down just a bit better. I love being a rabble-rouser. :thumbup:

Wow Bob! You're getting skinny. WTG :thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:

I had the band also and it was the same. I never drink while I'm eating, and its just a habit now. I will drink up until I begin eating, but after that, I seldom take a sip (did this with the band for 3 years and now with the sleeve) Not really all that hard when you know your stomach will be full quickly, I wanna eat to feel full, not drink :thumbup:

I was told not to stop drinking before and after food for a number of reasons:

1. Water w/food will make what you eat mushier (sp?) and a "slider food. Similar to drinking a shake or puree

2. Because it is mushy and not dense solid you eventually will be able to eat more, and "eating more" often leads to slowed weight loss or weight gain

3.you will move the food through faster and will not get that full feeling as soon nor as long.

I would ask your team too. I had to do it the hard way and not have any beverage on the table at all. by the time I go and fix one it has been about 20 min.

I am on pureed foods now so its not as big of a deal now, but will be later.

CC