I have a question for you all. I am slowly getting used to my new lifestyle, experiencing many surprises along the way, but the thing I find hardest is not having anything to drink while I eat. Any tips? I will get my first fill on the 13th and want to be ready:)

There is mixed review about this. Some say their surgeon says it doesn't matter. I got off the mark and tried it for a while and it definitely slowed my weight loss down. Its more of habit than anything. I get Water with my meal, cuz I find it freaks the person selling you the food out if you don't want anything to drink. I always get it in disposable cup and I take it with me. I drink up to the time I eat and wait 30 minutes after before drinking. Water goes staight through and my surgeon says if you drink before you eat, it doen't change anything, its the after he doesn't want me to do. I find I get full faster if I don't drink and eat together.

For me, it's easy to do, but hard to remember to do. Today I had Water before my meal. Then I forgot to put the glass out of reach, and caught myself in my second sip mid-meal. So now I have to consciously remove that glass and then I'll be fine.

Eat slowly, chew well, small bites, don't sip. Eat slowly, chew well, small bites, don't sip. Eat slowly, chew well, small bites, don't sip.

I'll set it to music and hum it at the table.

I've been told it was okay to drink during a meal, but most people are told not to. I'm making an effort to get back on track with not drinking during meals. If I do, I try to just take small sips.

Thanks everyone. It's so good to get others feedback!

Drinking with meals is one of many general things you will have to learn for yourself....like crushing pills, some can some can't...or carbonated drinks...

The band is adjustable and each individual responds differently....

early on, I was told to start to get used to not drinking with meals....to drink right up to a meal, then nothing during or 30-40 minutes after....I asked why, and like many "Rules" was basically told I will find out as I get closer to the Green Zone...that these "rules" will make sense sooner or later.....

Sure enough, I did find out why....bottom line, it is not a question whether I am told I could or could not, it is that the way my band has been adjusted for the last 3+ years, I CANNOT drink while eating....it is IMPOSSIBLE without dire circumstances....

food is in my pouch, slowly passing through the band...there is just so much my pouch will/can hold.....IF I introduce Water, it will instantly increase the volume of what is there....it will have no where to go but right back up and out!

Not to mention the pain....I would assume dilating-stretching my pouch....

As far as drinking after eating, I have to wait, and take small sips from time to time...until I can tell when it is safe to drink again....I have had food come back up 20 minutes after eating because I drank too soon....

Having said that...I do not have to crush my meds/pills, and I can drink carbonated beverages (carefully)...others cannot....so you see everyone has different tolerances to different things, and it will only be after time (mnths/years?) that you learn a lifestyle that best suits you and your weight loss.....

But in the beginning, your best option is follow your Dr.'s guidelines, until you have those "A-Ha" moments...even then I tell my Dr. what I discovered....

I was also told that it's okay to drink all the way up to mealtime, then nothing for 30-60 minutes after. However, it's not difficult for me because I had a strict mom that forbid us to drink during our meals when we were kids (because we got full off of our drink then wasted our food), and that habit stuck with me into adulthood...even before the band!