Hi,

I am a pre-op patient and my dietician said that sleeve patients are not to drink any liquids about an hour before a meal and about an hour after a meal and definitely not anything during the meal. They want me to practice this now before the surgery so that when I get to the solid foods stage that I will be prepared. I am really having a hard time not drinking any liquids during or immediately after. Does anyone else's doctor say this is what you should do and if so what are your tips and tricks? I am struggling big time with this part!

It is my surgeon's cardinal never-ever-ever rule as well. The liquid mixed with the food can flush the food through your sleeve quicker and cause you to over-eat.

Note: When there's no food in my stomach, liquid passes through really quickly, so I only wait 15 minutes after drinking before eating. On the other hand, food stays a long time so I wait 45 minutes to an hour after (until I no longer feel food in my tummy - which doesn't mean there's none there, just a lot less).

It's very painful. My food doesn't just move along when I eat and drink.. The Water just gathers around in my stomache and it hurts.. It's like eating way too much.. Not worth it...

Hi,

I am a pre-op patient and my dietician said that sleeve patients are not to drink any liquids about an hour before a meal and about an hour after a meal and definitely not anything during the meal. They want me to practice this now before the surgery so that when I get to the solid foods stage that I will be prepared. I am really having a hard time not drinking any liquids during or immediately after. Does anyone else's doctor say this is what you should do and if so what are your tips and tricks? I am struggling big time with this part!

I do just because that is what I am used to- I measure out my food- and when I drink I usually don't even eat all of it- but my paper does say don't do it- but only cause of the reason listed above about over eating

Initially, no I couldn't eat and drink simultaneously. But, after the residual swelling goes down, taking a few sips with my meal doesn't hurt, or cause me to be "hungry" any faster. I broke the habit with the band because with a pouch you have to stop drinking 30 minutes before the meal too. With the sleeve, since liquids go in, and go out, drinking right up until that first really makes things easier.

There is a huge difference in drinking with a meal, and taking a few sips to wet your whistle. Also, with the sleeve, I am able to drink right up until I take that first bite, eat then wait 30-40 minutes to resume drinking. I typically suck down a bunch of Water or tea before my meal arrives then start eating.

All it does is keep the food in your stomach longer to prolong satiety. Very little absorption of nutrients from food occurs in the stomach, 85% of absorption occurs in the intestines.

Some people find popping a sugar free hard candy(mint) or a stick of gum after their meal to help with the dry mouth issue.

Hi,

I am a pre-op patient and my dietician said that sleeve patients are not to drink any liquids about an hour before a meal and about an hour after a meal and definitely not anything during the meal. They want me to practice this now before the surgery so that when I get to the solid foods stage that I will be prepared. I am really having a hard time not drinking any liquids during or immediately after. Does anyone else's doctor say this is what you should do and if so what are your tips and tricks? I am struggling big time with this part!

I'm 14 months out and I do have a small sip if I need it.

I do exactly what Tiffykins does. I can drink right up until I eat. I do not take any sips or anything during a meal. I try to wait as long as possible after eating. As soon and I am finished eating, I do pop in a piece of gum. That helps A LOT!

With the amazing results of this surgery...this minor inconvenience is sure worth it!!!

Brushing teeth immediately after a meal will help as well. And belive it or not, not drinking while eating will help you learn to eat less at one sitting. But yeah, it is pretty necessary. It is heavily stressed by most surgeons. I had to do that with my band and it just became something I adapted to. You will form new habits too

I have been really good about waitin 30 - 45 minutes after eating before drinking anything. Today at lunch I was eating while working and got distracted and took a few sips just a couple minutes after eating and man did it hurt! I hope there is no adverse effect to my stomach after doing that but I sure learned to pay better attention. Ouch!