Why is it advised to have no fluids with meals?

Thanks

Bruce

(I just answered this in another thread, so I'm just copying myself.)

When you think about it, the only reason we drink during a meal is to wash the food down. Drinking a lot makes it easier to eat more, even though we may not even realize that's why we're doing it.

After banding the same is true, even though it may be in smaller quantities. Drinking during a meal won't hurt you, but it will sabotage your weight loss efforts. And sometimes you will discover that drinking can backfire, since if something is stuck drinking won't help it go through and you'll just urp the liquid right up.

So there are two reasons to stick to the no-drinking-while-eating rule, and if neither of them are sufficient for you to change your behavior you may find that you're not losing weight as fast as you'd hoped. But it's not going to damage your band or anything if you drink while you're eating.

So think more about why you're hoping to get banded. And then think about whether you're really willing to change your habits to achieve your goals. I'll bet you'll discover you're not as attached to those habits as you think.

The reason not to drink is to keep the food in our pouch stomach longer...so that we stay 'full and satisfied' longer. If you just drink plenty about a half hour before your meal and stop 15 minutes before you eat you will find yourself less thirty. Taking small bites and eating slowly will also help keep you from getting thirty. Then time yourself self. It all helps. I now have no problems not drinking. Keeping hydrated by drinking lots between meals really is important, too.

Janey is correct. You'll stay full longer if you don't drink. It washes the food on thru and you get hungry sooner. My doc. says you shouldn't be feeling hungry for at least 3 1/2 - 4 hours after eating. If you do..you may need a fill or examine your eating and drinking habits. I've found this to be totally true.

llewis