Does anyone know why we are not suppose to drink 30 minutes before, 30 minutes after and during meals?

I have no problem not drinking during meals but I struggle thu the 30 minutes before and after. What is the benefit of doing this? WIll it hurt me if I don't wait 30 minutes to drink after eating?

I think because it flushes food through. I drink before and after meals.. usually wait like 15 minutes not 30. My doctor said its not add important for us sleevers to follow this rule as it is the gastric bypass patents.

Hi there,

Since you take in so little food, they want all of the water/liquid out of your sleeve before you eat so that you can get the maximum amount of food in...the reason you need to wait 30 minutes after is because liquid can push the food out of you sleeve quickly, causing you to be hungry sooner. It's hard, I agree.

The simple explaination is water or any other drinks taken during meals dilute digestive enzymes and stomach acids. These are essential to helping break down the food and absorb nutrients. Additionally. since it's harder to break down the food, the stomach may produce more acids, which could result in heartburn or acid reflux. A lot of people here mention that they have heartburn / acid reflux and this is one of the causes.

I usually drink right up until I start eating with no problem. then I stop. I accidentally took a drink after I ate one time, and figured out EXACTLY why we're not supposed to do that. There was no room for liquid and it caused great pain and discomfort and I almost hurled. I can't believe I didn't. When you're stomach is that small.... you don't need to crowd out the food. I now watch the clock carefully before i drink.

I disregard the rule and just follow my body. Sometimes I can take just small sips with food, sometimes I can drink more. I don't get any heartburn or acid reflux, nor do I get hungry so I don't worry about it.

Some say it washes away the food.

Some say it sits on top if the food and makes you uncomfortable.

I do generally don't drink within 30 minutes of eating.... But I say follow your body. Don't choke waiting for 30minutes

I agree with all above. You want to fill your sleeve with high quality, protein-rich food and let your body aborb & enjoy. I try to wait at least 15-20 mins after eating. Your body will help you figure this out. Fluids see to go right on through before eating with me, so no problems there. Importantly, keep hydrated, especially in the hot weather this summer.

I'm religious about waiting 30 minutes after eating before drinking. My first incident with getting sick happened because I ate pasta and bread, then took a drink right after eating. It was a shame to donate that good food back to Carrabas' parking lot!

I drink while I eat. Small sips of water and eat very slow. No problems.

Our bodies were not meant to have drinks with food. But it washes food down, fills you more, doesn't make it last as long. It keeps that dense protein in stomach longer and therefore- you're less hungry longer. Listen to your NUT, not your gut... I know listening to my body got me to 273 lbs

I know for myself that I do drink before, during and after I eat. No problems here.

when I am at work II never know when I am going tobe able to eat so I ended up drinking up until I do. But I always wait a minimum 30 minutes to drink after and the first sip I have is my vitamin to choke it down.

Thanks everyone! This helps

I know I can eat A LOT more when I drink and eat at the same time. This is what I do to prepare for races when I need to increase my calories. It triggers the pyloric valve to open and send food on down to the intestines creating more room in the stomach.

I've been sleeved since Feb. 2010. Lost 78% of the weight and got complacent. Threw all the rules out of the window. Absolutely stopped losing and recently began creeping back up. The rules are there for a reason and I believe when we begin to rationalize changing the rules to "suit our bodies" we are setting up ourselves for failure. I have recenly began the 5-day pouch test to restart my weight loss and returning to the rules my doctor gave me from the very beginning.

After over 2 years my advice is "don't change the rules". It helps to know the "why" but just do it!