Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Any One Have Trouble With The No Drinking With Food?



Recommended Posts

I am having my surgery Aug 2nd and I'm not worried about anything but the no drinking 30 mins before a meal, with a meal, and 30 mins after a meal. I'm one who really needs some thing to wash my food down with and I'm afraid I won't be able to eat with out some thing to drink. Does any one else have this problem and anyone who might take a sip of even just Water with there food and if so are you hungry quicker? Please help.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I worry about the same thing. I like to drink with a meal too!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Practice before hand. It's not easy. My Dietician has me stopping drinking 15/20 minutes before eating and then not drinking again 1 hour after. I swish my mouth and spit if I need moisture while eating but my biggest advice is start this process earlier rather than after your surgery. :-)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

The reason we're not supposed to drink before eating is to actually leave room in our tiny stomach's for the little bit of food we get to eat. The main reason for not drinkingwhile eating is to prevent from washing the food through the stomach and intestines too quickly and not allowing our bodies to absorb the needed nutrients.

Having said that i do have to admit that I do take a sip of Water every now and then while I'm eating. I cant help it. And I figure a few small sips shouldn't really hurt. It's not like I'm downing a whole glass of something and flushing the food through.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I like to drink with a meal also. However, it is immediately after that I drink the most. B/C I eat so fast that drinking during the meal isn't really happening anyway. :unsure:

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I am having my surgery Aug 2nd and I'm not worried about anything but the no drinking 30 mins before a meal' date=' with a meal, and 30 mins after a meal. I'm one who really needs some thing to wash my food down with and I'm afraid I won't be able to eat with out some thing to drink. Does any one else have this problem and anyone who might take a sip of even just Water with there food and if so are you hungry quicker? Please help.[/quote']

I feel the same way. This is definitely going to be a huge challenge for me.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I find that this is one of my biggest challenges. Especially with timing the Vitamins (usually the trusty Protein shake, which I can choke down once again, is the answer) Sometimes I will take a teeny tiny sip if I feel I absolutely have to - but I have gotten in the habit of leaving my drink bottle in the other room because it is second nature to want to reach for it.

I eat Soup a lot so I can still drink - I wonder if that is cheating lol.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Practice before hand. It's not easy. My Dietician has me stopping drinking 15/20 minutes before eating and then not drinking again 1 hour after. I swish my mouth and spit if I need moisture while eating but my biggest advice is start this process earlier rather than after your surgery. :-)

I second this, practice before hand. While your on liquids it won't really matter, since everything will be liquids. Once you start purées, it's best to follow the no drinking 15 minutes before/1hour after rule. I didn't practice before hand and while it's been an adjustment, it's not been impossible to follow. Just make sure to stay pretty hydrated during your drinking times.

Sent from my iPad using VST

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

It does take some adjusting.... ok a lot of adjusting. I am one who always drank a lot with my meals but I also ate a lot more at one time. I have forgotten and reached for my glass and taken a drink and it is not a pleasant experience. You will not want to do it after once or twice messing up. You are eating so little in one meal that you will not need to wash your food down. It just takes some practice and the best thing to do is not even have a drink near you while your eating. You will get used to it and now I stop drinking when I get hungry and wait for about 30-45 minutes then eat. After you eat you feel full so you know you cannot fit anything else in. At first it seemed like an eternity before I could drink but now its second nature. The whole thing is a process and a learning experience.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Everyone is different, but I haven't had a problem with it after surgery. I just don't keep my water bottle or anything near me to drink when I'm eating. It is harder if we go out to eat, but again I just don't keep a drink near me & then I don't have to worry about it.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

wash my food down

Aug2ndsleever

I think that "most" people used to drink with their meal, mainly Water. I always drank with my meal, and it still seems weird not to drink w/food.

its just a habit that most people developed, drinking w/their meals. No rhyme or reason - we used to drink with our meals -

As sleevers, we no longer have that luxary to drink while you eat, or after for 45-60 minutes after you eat per your NUT

My NUT told me after about 15 minutes of my last drink, i could start to eat - when i was done - i had to wait 45-60 minutes after i finished my meal, to wait to drink.

I believe the reason for not drinking w/food, is you flush away the Protein that you have eaten if you drink too early

Protein is always eaten 1rst, very important to eat alot of protein, after you have eaten, you don't want it to leave your system. - so thats why you can't drink for a bit after eating.

BTW - i do miss drinking my Water while i eat :angry:

good luck

kathy

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I'm one of those that did not have a problem adapting to this rule. But I barely drank with meals prior to surgery. Now in my sixth month, I admit to keeping a small glass of Water with me to sip down Vitamins and the Actigall mid-meal. At best I'm taking in one ounce over 1-2 pills. My doctor has no problem with it so long as in still getting my Protein and veggies.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Glad to see it's not just me. I'm working on one thing at a time. So far limiting caffeine & diet coke. I went out to dinner alone last week and decided to try proper chewing. I'm glad I won't be eating alot because I will be at the table forever. It took quite a while to finish a portion of my small steak (granted it wasn't the most tender steak).

Afterwards I realized that I drank alot less as well-only one glass of soda. Maybe because I had the food in my mouth so much. When out to dinner i have had up to 6 glasses of diet coke while waiting for food and eating etc. You'd think I would have no room for food. :) However, I never drink that much at home. I think it's because I'm spending so much more time at the table than I wouuld at home.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Most people use liquids during meals to WASH the food down, there by making room for more food. The more liquid the contents of the stomach are the easier and sooner they will pass thru the pyloris. Post WLS you should not want to WASH food through, ideally it should stay in the stomach longer, keeping you satisfied with the smaller amount you have consumed longer. Drier foods are harder to swallow, that is the reason in NUT class they stressed eating moist food such as meals cooked in a crock pot or pressure cooker.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I guess my plan is a little different. I am allowed to drink right up until 5 minutes before eating and 30 mins after eating. I do take a few small sips during my meal, I can't go without it sometimes. By a "few" I mean 1 or 2.

It does take some time. Especially when you go out to eat and they automatically bring you water!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • Doughgurl

      2 days until I fly out to San Diego to have my Bypass Surg. in Tiajuana Mexico. Not gonna lie, the nerves are starting to surface. I don't fear the surgery itself, or the fact that I'm traveling alone, but its the aftermath that I'm stressing about the most, after this 8 week wait. I'm excited to finally be here, but I am really dreading the post surgical chapter. I know its going to be tough, real tough and I think I'm just in my head to much now that the day i here. Wish me luck, Hopefully I'm one of the lucky ones, and everything goes smoothly. Cant wait to give an exciting update,. If there is anyone else have a June bypass or even a recent one, Id love to have someone to compare war stories with. Also, anyone near San Antonio Tx? See ya soon with the future me. 💜
      · 1 reply
      1. Phil Penn

        Good Luck this procedure is well worth it I am down to 249.6 lb please continue with the process..

    • LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 2 replies
      1. Selina333

        I'm so happy for you! You are about to change your life. I was so glad to get the sleeve done in Dec. I didn't have feelings of regret overall. And I'm down almost 60 lbs. I do feel a little sad at restaurants. I can barely eat half a kid's meal. I get adults meals often because kid ones don't have the same offerings at times. Then I feel obligated to eat on that until it's gone and that can be days. So the restaurant thing isn't great for me. All the rest is fine by me! I love feeling full with very little. I do wish I could drink when eating. And will sip at the end. Just a strong habit to stop. But I'm working on it! You will do fine! Just keep focused on your desire to be different. Not better or worse. But different. I am happy both ways but my low back doesn't like me that heavy. So I listened (also my feet!). LOL! Update us on your journey! I'm not far from you. I'm in Houston. Good luck and I hope it all goes smoothly! Would love to see pics of the town you go to for this. I've never been there. Neat you will be traveling for this! Enjoy the journey. Take it one day at a time. Sometimes a few hours at a time. Follow all recommendations as best you can. 💗

      2. Doughgurl

        Thank you so much for your well wishes. I am hoping that everything goes easy for me as well. We don't eat out much as it is, so it wont be too bad in that department. Thankfully. Also, I hear you regarding your back and feet!! I'd like to add knees to the list. Killing me as we speak! I'm only 5' so the weight has to go. Too short to carry all this weight. Menopause really did a doosey on me. (😶lol) My daughter also lives in Houston. with her Husband and my 5 grand-littles. I grew up in Beaumont, so I know Houston well, I will be sure to keep in touch and update you on my journey. I may need some advice in the future, or just motivation. Thank You so much for reaching out, I was hoping to connect with someone in the community. I really appreciate it. 💜

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×