I will have my surgery on July 5th. I have always drank huge amounts of Fluid while eating...such as tea, diet coke, milk, etc. Of all the things I am learning before the procedure, I think this is the biggest dread for me. I cannot imagine having a meal without drinking 30 minutes before or after.

Also, are carbonated drinks always off limits?

Thank you!

Carbonated bevies are off limits for awhile as they could have the potential to cause discomfort from the carbonation. Plus you do not want to be drinking your carbs when you are trying to lose weight. There might be other problems associated with drinking soda's but I am not sure what they are. I just avoid them and maybe will try when I am in maintenence.

Drinking with meals. I used to guzzle fluids during meals and I practiced before surgery to not have as much so that afterwards it was not as hugh of a change. When you are eating yoru protiens first you really do not have room for fluids. Oh and the 30 min before a meal I usually chug Water 5 mins before a meal give it a couple of mins to clear to my intestines and then I have my meal. I am satiated and do not need another drink till 30 mins after a meal (sometimes longer). I keep myself hydrated with approximately 96 oz fluids a day so I really do not feel the need to drink during a meal. Maybe a sip here or there but that is it.

I was very worried about this pre-op because I was a big "guzzler" with drinks. Diet coke with ice and lime always next to me along with my cup of coffee. During meals I would drink a lot through out the whole meal. I'm about 9 days post-op now and I'll tell you I can sip a tiny amount while eating, enough to take away the dry mouth feeling during a meal, but I certainly wouldn't take a huge gulp because it hurts... a LOT! lol like a big burp stuck in the middle of your chest that you have to pound out with your fist.

It's not something that would stop me from surgery (obviously), it was just something that I was consigned to having to re-learn and I have been. My biggest challenge is that I'm on many medications that have to be emptied out from their capsules or crushed in order to get them down because I can't take pills yet. I gulped it down in one swallow without thinking about it, trying to get past the yucky taste and grabbed my regular glass of gatorade and slammed a gulp back to wash down the nasty taste. OOOPS! major ouch! So, lesson learned. Don't worry about it, just be aware that you will make a few mistakes and that they are pretty much "self corrective" lol

Hope this helps

Renee`

I wouldn't suggest anyone follow my lead, but I still drink with meals (and have been drinking carbonated beverages since 4-5 months post-op) and haven't had an issues with either. Weight loss has been great still, too.