Just out of curiosity, what reason did your doctor gave you regarding this rule? I've heard different things.

I was told that drinking before will make me too full to eat what I need, & drinking after flushes my food right out of my stomach & keeps me from feeling full/satisfied as long as possible, so as not to graze.

Its painful...I find it painful to try to eat and drink...I may take 1 or 2 sips, but that's only if I feel like some food is getting stuck...

Yep. It's like flushing the toilet. Then you want to eat again too soon or don't feel full while you're eating. Not to mention it could be painful or it might make you blow your groceries. Many reasons but prevention of overeating is primary concern.

ditto on the flushing out the tummy. We can only eat so much at a time. So you really want to utilize your new tummy to it's full potential and not flush it out with liquids.

I think this video explains it best.

Yep. Not to mention ... it might make you blow your groceries

That's enough motivation for me!

So many reasons, really!

The main reason for me - it can cause dumping. When your chewed food mixes with additional fluids, it can trigger your pyloric valve to open prematurely. Food getting past that valve before it's really ready is pretty much what causes dumping syndrome.

For two - it's a capacity thing. Eventually Water and like fluids will drain through fairly quickly. Until then, you will have to pick between "take a bite" or "take a drink" because you just can't do both.

For three - I've been there with the band, and I've been there with the sleeve. Trust me when I say that drinking too much, or drinking too soon after eating, HURT. A lot. It's probably one of the more painful sensations we'll feel, related to our WLS, once we're healed. Avoiding the risk of feeling that is a pretty good reason.

Four - aside from capacity, it's also a sensation thing. We need to eat. If we're full on liquids, we will not have an appetite for solids. Solid Proteins are what will keep us satiated over time.

That being said, I do drink with my meals on occasion. Like if I swallow the wrong way - I'm not going to just deal with the "choking" (it's not choking, but you know what I mean) for 30 mins until it's safe to drink. If I take a bite of something way too hot, I've been known to reach for a drink rather than spit out the bite - whatever is fastest. I don't make it a habit. Honestly - it just doesn't feel good.

food travels through your esophagus and into your stomach and intestines through a series of waves. The waves start when you swallow. The theory is that if you swallow more (drink while eating), the food can move to and through your stomach faster.

When it gets to the stomach, what happens depends on the type of WLS you have had.

Sleeve patients still have a pyloric valve at the bottom of their stomach. This means things aren't released from your stomach until your stomach fills up and signals to move things along.

Bypass patients don't have a pyloric valve at the bottom of their stomach. Food isn't stopped and can wash through quicker with liquids. This is what is depicted on the YouTube video that explains why you shouldn't drink after WLS.

If you go to this link from the US Health and Human Services department, you can read about how the digestive process works. In the section that says "Movement of Food Through the System," you can read about the three tasks the stomach has including the factors that go into emptying the stomach. It notes that carbs go through faster and Protein stays the longest. http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/yrdd/

I think this video explains it best.

That did explain it well. Then I went on to freak myself out with this woman's video showing us her excess skin. YIKES she only started out 30 lbs more than i did....but i digress..... don't eat and drink at the same time kids!

I've tried to drink while I eat and I just can't do it. There's not enough room for food AND drink in there. I've gotten used to it, though. I tell people that is the one thing negative about this surgery. But if that's all, it's not too bad.

All good and valid reasons, I however CANNOT abide by it. I need too many fluids to not drink while I eat due to kidney stones. I simply just eat a measured portion and NO more, so despite the fact that I might feel a little hungry I don't eat. Being "hungry" now is NOTHING like it was pre-op, I could not control myself, now I can.

I drink a LOT while I eat, and it DOES get better as time goes by. I could not drink enough till maybe 1 year out. Now it's no issue.

IT DOES HURT! a lot of folks think if they eat something bad and then drink it will flush out the bad...WRONG! it actually will still absorb in your intestines. i didnt watch the video so it may cover that but i heard its called Slurry. i as others have will sip if needed and i avoid foods that make me thirsty such as crackers, peanut butter, any dry foods. i was kinda curious if we are allowed cereal....oh how i miss it!!