I have found the most difficult thing to adjust to has been the no drinking 30 minutes before and 30 minutes after I eat. I'm very strict with it but will it ever get easier????

I am having trouble with this as well

Oh so I'm not the only one?! I agree, this is definitely hard. I sometimes sneak a small sip of water just to rinse my mouth, especially if I'm eating something with a lot of flavor. I hope it gets easier!

Im pre op right now and they having me work on it.. it is SO hard.

I'm a month and a half out and it is getting easier. One mistake I made was having a tablespoon of Peanut Butter for dinner one night... Waiting 30 minutes after that was torture!

I'm a month and a half out and it is getting easier. One mistake I made was having a tablespoon of Peanut Butter for dinner one night... Waiting 30 minutes after that was torture!

Lol.. That must have been the longest 30 minutes ever.

I stared at the clock... Finally gave in to Water at 25 mins. :0) lesson learned.

I'm on my 30 min wait right now. Had a tiny sip of apple juice to rinse. I ate Wendy's chili and all those strong flavors I needed to rinse. I feel like a big kid. 5 more minutes and I can finally drink!! LoL

Chewing sugarless gum after eating helps me a lot and my nut says there's not enough saliva created up to cause a problem.

I was told u shouldn't chew gum after having the surgery that it will put air bubbles in your pouch and cause it to stretch.

I am allowed to drink Water right up to the moment I take my first bite of food, and then wait 90 minutes after my first bite to drink again.

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I am allowed to drink Water right up to the moment I take my first bite of food, and then wait 90 minutes after my first bite to drink again.

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Oh wow.

First I've heard of that.

I was told the same thing. That I could drink right up until I ate. But have to wait an hour after. Surgeons are so different from everything I see on here. I can use a straw and chew gum (I know some drs say no to these things but mine said the extra air won't stretch your pouch). But I'm not allowed to eat ANY starches until my BMI is under 30 and then I'm only allowed 1 whole grain serving a day. So no potatoes, oatmeal, whole grain bread, peas, beans, etc for me for another 8 lbs. I know some can have oatmeal early on.

I have had a lot of practice with this rule as it applies to the banded folks as well. It was hard at first but it became second nature after awhile. By the end of the first six months, it became habit. After that I really stopped thinking about it. Every once in awhile I will have a tic tac after I eat to try and cleanse my mouth and that helps.

Also, you could try brushing your teeth after you eat or keep a little bottle of listerine to wash your mouth out. Once you get the food taste out of your mouth it is a lot easier to deal with the wait.

This is my "homework" from my nut. I am to practice how it will be to eat post op. I have a real hard time with this as well as drinking without a straw! I use my big cup with a straw all day long, at home and at work. These are going to be the hardest hurdles for me I think!