Banded 3/14 and food goes down well, first fill in May, I was told to wait 30 min., before and after eating, to drink anything. does that apply to this awkward stage? I don't think liquids would push anything thru the band since I'M WIDE OPEN ??? And when do these shoulder & back pains go away (lots o exercise). Please advise.

Bandster Rule: DO not eat and drink at the same time. (ongoing)

reason: Fluids will push food through the band thereby allowing it to pass and you will not stay full as long. (Also why they want you to eat the hard Protein vs soft) The goal is for food to sit in your stoma and to disove slowly.

Some don't abide by this rule, and some only take a drink if something is too dry to go on its own. Most, will make sure the moisture content of the food is enough to get it down.

I was told by my bariatric nurse that you can drink up until the time you eat. Then you want to stir clear after you eat by 30 minutes.

Also, you can stretch your pouch out if you put your solids and fluid in your pouch. This could cause problems still with your newly banded tummy.

It was a hard habit to break. I was taking 3 little sips of water when I ate, but I dont want to take a chance and stretch my pouch out.

Banded 3/14 and food goes down well, first fill in May, I was told to wait 30 min., before and after eating, to drink anything. does that apply to this awkward stage? I don't think liquids would push anything thru the band since I'M WIDE OPEN ??? And when do these shoulder & back pains go away (lots o exercise). Please advise.

I hear what you're asking...you're saying you're banded but with no restriction, so you don't have a "pouch" to speak of....and you want to know if it's ok to drink. Well, I wouldn't...just for the fact that you might as well get used to NOT drinking so now's a good time. I've found that chewing a piece of gum right after I eat cures my desire to drink anything and I'm OK for a measly 1/2 hour. It goes by quick.

I've found that chewing a piece of gum right after I eat cures my desire to drink anything and I'm OK for a measly 1/2 hour. It goes by quick.

Thanks for that tip--i'm going to try it. i always have a terrible time not drinking along with eating. makes me pretty miserable.

gum--why didn't i think of that??!

This is the one habit I cannot break, it is so hard, need tips on how to not drink, it seems that if I don't drink everything gets stuck, please help.

I've never followed that rule.

I dont eat and drink together, maybe a sip of wine here and there if I'm out but I often do have a coffee within half an hour of eating a meal.

I just listen to my body's signals. I dont see that you can dilate your pouch or any of it if you obey the signals. And I just never found that eating and drinking close together affected my hunger levels. I dont eat till I'm bursting and then pour in coffee on top of that, I would PB, but I have a coffee when I feel like it, which is not usually until the food has started passing through.

Banded 3/14 and food goes down well, first fill in May, I was told to wait 30 min., before and after eating, to drink anything. does that apply to this awkward stage? I don't think liquids would push anything thru the band since I'M WIDE OPEN ??? And when do these shoulder & back pains go away (lots o exercise). Please advise.

I would say if I shelled out $$$$$$$$ out of my own pocket I would be able to not drink after meals! Are self pay or insured? terryr

I would say if I shelled out $$$$$$$$ out of my own pocket I would be able to not drink after meals! Are self pay or insured? terryr

I'm not sure what the source of payment has to do with giving up drinking with meals. My insurance paid for it but I still gave up drinking with my meals. Drinking with meals is a bad idea, with the band. It slows weightloss, can stretch the pouch and can cause nasty PB's, which can lead to slippage. Who paid for the band doesn't change the rules. ~Mandy

Banded 3/14 and food goes down well, first fill in May, I was told to wait 30 min., before and after eating, to drink anything. does that apply to this awkward stage? I don't think liquids would push anything thru the band since I'M WIDE OPEN ??? And when do these shoulder & back pains go away (lots o exercise). Please advise.

The pain in the should should be almost gone by now. Also I was told 6 weeks before I resumed exercise. Maybe that is part of the problem? Are you doing too much too soon? ~Mandy

Thanks for that tip--i'm going to try it. i always have a terrible time not drinking along with eating. makes me pretty miserable.

gum--why didn't i think of that??!

Just make sure you don't ever swallow the gum. I heard it can cause lots of problems getting stuck in your stoma. Anyone had experience with this one?

I gave up gum for that very reason, but a mint works well too...~Mandy

The gum idea is great. T U. I did swallow a piece the other day (accidently) and waited for a reaction, NONE. I was scared though. I'll be extra careful after the first fill. The info about the stretching is good. Doesn't matter if I paid $$ or not, it's a body invasive procedure and I'd rather protect myself from physical harm than financial.