This is bad...I can not for the life of me remember not to drink while eating. At this point 3 weeks out I am SO used to having SOME type of beverage NEARBY. I find that now I'm trying soft foods it doesnt get stuck but I'm so used to taking a "swig" after I have a bite. I'll never get this weight off of me at that rate.

I yell at myself and do it again. I'm afraid if I dont have anything nearby I will not "sip, sip, sip" and I will get dehydrated.

Any tips for breaking this habit once and for all?!

Maybe try sitting down to eat in a different spot than your normal place.

Bring your food to the table or wherever and don't bring a drink.

After you eat, get up and then get your drink or wait until however long you're supposed to wait after eating before putting your drink nearby you again and then resume your sipping.

I had trouble breaking the habit when I was first banded so I didn't have the issue with the sleeve. But, I had to never bring a glass to the table when I ate. If we went out to dinner, I never ordered a drink. Now it's a little different, I don't have any issues not drinking during a meal. I may take a few sips if I am eating something super spicy, or salty, but I'm much further out so it's not uncomfortable and it doesn't make me anymore hungry, any sooner.

It's a tough habit to break. I still set my utensil down in between each bite, and do not bring a glass to the table when we eat at home.

You can do it, if you have to set a timer for 30 minutes after you finish eating so you know you can a good sip after you've eaten. Put your bottled Water in the fridge so it's "out of sight, out of mind" until after you eat. You just have to trick your mind, and form a new habit. Don't give up, you can do it.

Another (strange?) idea might be to put something on top of your cup or Water bottle right before you start to eat - like a napkin or paper towel. When you go to pick up your drink, the "reminder" will let you know that it's not time to drink. Then, just take it off about 30 minutes after you finish eating.

I'm pretty sure I'm going to have to do something like this for myself because I can't stand not having something to drink while I eat. I'll probably also need lots of timers all over the place because there's no way I'm going to remember to keep track of the 30 minutes after I finish eating.

Honestly I really think that drinking while eating is how I take in such a gigantic volume of food when I sit down. This is one of the only things I am scared of after surgery. I can drink a whole 32 oz coke, or water or whatever, just while I am eating ONE meal. I am VERY worried about this aspect of recovery....I will have to just keep my drinks in the fridge and then go to my room to eat or something....Hope I can break it too...Best of luck = D

i think you?re just going to have lots of willpower and forget your drink

Thank you all for the tips. I've tried to put my cup away, but I really think it comes down to my rebellious attitude. All my childhood I COULDN'T DRINK UNTIL I FINISHED MY PLATE...What damage did that do? LOTS. I began to think I had to finish all of my food which probably is part of the reason I got to where I and for the rebellious part; when I got "grown" enough to do what I wanted I DRANK WHENEVER I FELT LIKE IT during the meal. Which in hindsight I see is why I was able to intake so much food it was being washed right down, because as an adult I could drink as much as I wanted WHILE I was eating.

I don't make my toddler finish all of her food and I let her drink when she wants, she is a skinny minnie but perhaps not putting the restraints on her eating/drinking won't haunt her like it's haunting me now.