I'm about two weeks post op and doing well. I'm currently on the puréed food phase. I am HATING not being able to drink water while I eat. I constantly feel like I need to cleanse my pallet. I can't imagine what it's going to be like when I start back on whole foods. Any suggestions?

It gets easier. Once you get used to the no liquid rule you just dont think about it. Some things do leave an odd aftertaste or feel in my throat, but I've adjusted to it. I actually forget to start drinking again, when I'm able too.

I also constantly worry about not getting enough water.

Unfortunately you absolutely cannot drink while you eat...the reason being that water will lay on top of the food you consume and make it harder for your body to digest it and will also make things slide down better which will in turn make you eat more and take longer to get full...I eliminated drinking while eating months before surgery...it takes time getting used to it..I am 8 days post op...good luck and hang in there!

What I had to remember was drinking while eating was one of the methods I used to pack more food in. It enabled me to consume more calories. It aided my abusive relationship with food. I had to start a new relationship with food which meant taking smaller bites, chewing more, waiting longer between bites and not drinking right before during or right after eating.

It was difficult at first, but I believe it has been integral to my success. Not drinking allows me to feel the restriction longer and not consume more than I truly need.

I know where you're coming from. I used to drink 2 or 3 glasses of Water or Crystal Light with my meals. It took quite a while to get into the habit of not drinking with meals. Along with training myself to break the habit of trying to eat everything on my plate.

At 15 months post-op, I can't say I don't drink at all with meals, but it's only an ounce or two. I drink the tiniest sip, just enough to wet my tongue.

It's hard to get used to, but I don't even think about it anymore, it's habit to avoid drinking while eating now. I even wait 60 minutes after eating most of the time, no problem at all. I used to drink 4-5 glasses of Water with meals.

Karinbuck, just stick with it, it will get better, really

I just set the timer on my cellphone to 30 minutes and the time seems to fly. No biggie. Plus, I pretty much carry a Water bottle with me everywhere.

Edited April 1, 201412 yr by Recycled

There are two mistakes I make every now and then. The biggest problem is that I eat too quickly and end up feeling bad for about 30 minutes. I constantly have to remind myself to slow down. The second problem is drinking before during or right after eating. I get full too quickly then find myself "hungry" or wanting to eat before I am scheduled for the next meal or snack. It only takes a few times of over-filling your stomach with Water after food to remember to wait to drink.

I also prefer to take a big mouthful of water, it just feels better for some reason. I then realize that it is too much to swallow at one time and either spit it out or have to let it trickle down my throat. I have to remind myself to sip sip sip.

so. long story short is drinking while eating is not as fun as you think. LOL

i wil have to agree…..not drinking while eating is the hardest part of this whole journey. i guess it's because i really don't understand what the big deal about it is. i just had my sleeve done 3/10. i don't think i'm getting enough Water bc scales really aren't moving so much. i am certainly not eating too much. i don't know what the deal is. any advice?

i wil have to agree…..not drinking while eating is the hardest part of this whole journey. i guess it's because i really don't understand what the big deal about it is. i just had my sleeve done 3/10. i don't think i'm getting enough Water bc scales really aren't moving so much. i am certainly not eating too much. i don't know what the deal is. any advice?

Here is the deal:

@@PdxMan - thanks so much for sharing the link. The visual demonstration really surprised me at just how fast the food gets flushed with minimal amounts of liquid. I will remember this every time I'm tempted to drink too soon. Thanks again.

Thank you for the link. It makes sense to me now

I am almost 4 weeks post op, and I am seriously struggling with not drinking when I eat. I'm not gulping or anything but I tend to take small sips here and there. But I definitely am not getting in the recommended amounts of water a day. I don't think I m even drinking 8 oz a day!! I know that's terrible... Working on it..

The hardest part about not drinking while I eat is I'm not getting in even 1/2 the water I used to. I need to work on that.

I hate it too, but am always trying to find a way around it because I LOVED drinking with my food (I've always been the girl who refills her cup 2 - 3 times during a meal).

Anyhow, when I eat lunch, I try to have a piece of fruit (clementines are my favorite because they are super juicy) and I eat it with my meal so I feel like I'm getting some fluids in. I also eat a lot more Soups and chili then I used to because of the liquid.

I think not drinking while eating helps us to make better food choices because my food vices were anything super sweet/salty/spicy. Once I was sleeved and I realized I couldn't wash those tastes/sensations out of my mouth with milk, Powerade, soda, juice, etc, then I started to lose my desire for them.

A couple weeks ago, I got fed up with the 30/30 and started drinking a few big gulps of milk immediately before and/or after eating. Prior to that, I had been losing 2 - 3 lbs a week for three months. Suddenly, I was stuck at 184 - 185lbs.

Saturday night(March 30), I decided to go back to my strict 30/30. When I got on the scale Monday, I was at 182.6 lbs. Tuesday, 181.3. Wednesday morning (and a few minutes ago when I weighed) I am at 180.4 lbs.

So anyway, yes, it does suck, but it's worth it.

Edited April 2, 201412 yr by Comfy_Blue