Ok guys, I'm having a really hard time with the not drinking while eating thing. I created a poll to see if people are really doin it or if it's as hard to get use to as I think. Be honest!!

I have to drink a little bit, just so it doesn't get stuck, depending on what kind of food I am eating. Maybe 1/2 a cup of liquid or so.

Yes, I have a terrible time drinking while eating. I think it is such a habit that's hard to break. I also think that is why I'm eating too much. I have 2cc's in a 4cc band and maybe need another fill.

I have been having a whole lot of trouble with PBs lately. I drink with meals to get the food to leave my esophagus and go into the pouch. It doesn't work a lot of times, but sometimes it does. I don't drink unless the food is stuck. I have very little to no esophageal motility due to medications and have had esophageal ulcers in the past. I would probably lose weight more quickly if I didn't have to drink during meals, but one has to work with what one has. I can't go off my heart drugs so I'm stuck with drinking. Oh, the joy of being a young person who hasn't had a heart bypass. Still I've lost 35 pounds and I'm glad of that.

I take sips. I used to drink lg cups and when I went out to eat I could do 2 drinks. Now I do maybe 1/4 of what I used to do. For me it is a matter of mouth moisture. I cant swallow if I dont take a sip every 3 or 4 bites.

I have not done well in the loss department so am calling tomorrow for another fill. I have a 9 cc band with 4 cc in it.

No drinking here. It just makes me PB. Before the band I could drink 5 large glasses. Now, I just get it in a to go cup and drink it later.

I never drink with meals...haven't for over 10 years. It's a bad habit and a major cause of heartburn and can allow you to cram more food down.

As a bandster, I knew from the get-go that it was one of the things that was the most likely to prevent my band from doing its job...it washes food through the stoma faster thus allowing us to eat more...and if the pouch is already full, it can cause puking. Neither a good thing.

So it's actually really important. Drink a glass of water/fluid right before your meal then remove the glass from the table. As the Nike ads say, Just Do It. You've got to go cold turkey on it. If you're properly hydrated, you won't be "thirsty". It's just a habit.

Nancy

-156

Drinking with meals, that is one of the worse things I can possible do! After getting the band and with the problems I have with pbing, drinking while eating is DEADLY for me, I have actually made a mistake before and drank while eating, OMGosh never again! I now keep all liquids away from me while eating so that don't happen again.

I must admit that is one of the rules i have real trouble with! sometimes, depending on what I am eating, I cant get through a meal without drinking water as well. but I do tend to drink when eating as a habit...I have realised this is a habit it would be beneficial for me to break out of. As I do feel the affects so much more when I don't drink.

becky

Well I used to drink a 12 oz - 20 oz drink with each meal. Now I just have to sip a little. Can't not drink at all. Need to wash the food and tastes away! I gave up soda and I was addicted to even the sound of an opening can of diet Pepsi! So, I sip.

I was just banded on 12/11 and almost done with my liquid phase. I'm finding myself SO hungry and ready to eat everything. I figure I must be healed on the inside and swelling is down so all my liquids are going right through and not helping at all. Yesterday I tried the not drinking half hour before and hour after and then I made my oatmeal a little thicker (still strawable) and I had bean soup which was thicker also. It seemed to help. So I'm wondering about the next stage, mushies, I'm assuming I should not drink before or after so it stays in there alittle longer also? Everyone says oh this is just the healing don't worry about weight loss but I am worried about weight loss I did not get the band to just eat whatever I want, I want it to work for me. Did any of you feel you could eat everything before your first fill? I thought the band would help me out a little more here and I'm hoping I'm jumping the gun and if I don't drink before and after during mushies I'll stay full longer.

Yes, I can eat anything. I get my first fill on 1/11. I do feel a lot fuller on a lot less food but I could keep going if I wanted to. The band iteslf does not limit me, I do. The doctor said this is normal and that it will change after the fill.

I am with HarleyNana. Almost always drinking with my meal makes me sick. So I am really careful and rarely do it. Usually it is s few sips of ice water if I have eaten something spicy, and since I live in Northern California in the middle of SEVERAL wine countries I do occasionally sip a good wine with a good meal. But I never even finish a whole glass unless I have had half of it before I start to eat.

I drink with my meal only if I'm in public at a business function. The last thing I want is to develop a golfball or PB in public. Thankfully, this doesn't happen often (public eating) so mostly I'm okay eating dry.

mariecarmen- I do this too - sip my drink while in public to avoid getting stuck! It is nice to know someone else shares the same experience with that. At home I am usually do not drink- it is most difficult with morning coffee - I love to have that with breakfast and need to get better about just drinking it before.

Girl you an I are in this together. This no drinking with meals stinks!! I have always drank ALOT when I ate. If I went out to dinner it was no surprise for me to drink at least 3+ glasses of pop. It is a hard habit to break. Giving up pop has been bad enough!! However WE will succeed!! Good luck and remember we are not alone. God Bless Sue