About a month ago, I went to the doctor to see about having a hiatal hernia repaired. He suggested a relatively new procedure for weight loss that he could do at the same time as the hernia repair, and it would cost me nothing to add it on to the procedure. I only needed to lose about 50 pounds to get in the optimal range for my height, so I wouldn't qualify for other weight loss surgeries, and hadn't even considered them before. I asked about side effects, etc, and he said I would just have a smaller stomach, so I would just eat less-smaller, more frequent meals. Great! That was the part of dieting that was always the most difficult for me (portion control), so if it would force me to do it, why not? I would have to be on a liver-shrinking diet for two weeks pre-surgery and a high Protein liquid diet for two weeks after surgery, then soft foods transitioning to normal as tolerated. Sounded like a breeze. That's all the information I got. There's very little info on the internet about this procedure, so I couldn't do much research.

I'm two weeks post op now, and I've learned that I cannot eat or drink 30 minutes before or after meals, or during meals, for the rest of my life. I didn't know about this ahead of time. It was on my hospital discharge papers, but I assumed it was temporary. Nope. I'm upset-maybe to an unreasonable degree. I like spicy food-Thai, Indian. I absolutely cannot eat it without Water though. And the spicy food that I like is very healthy! It's mostly tofu with steamed vegetables. I don't like that I wasn't informed ahead of time. I knew that I was going to have to cut back on carbs, but by eliminating water during meals, I feel like I've actually eliminated a lot more of my food choices simply because I cannot imagine eating them without water! I was told that even a sip was not ok. On the other hand, I feel so silly for being upset about something as simple as a glass of water. I know my body is still reacting to the surgery and I'm a hormonal mess, but I've been upset enough to cry and consider having the procedure reversed. I just wish I'd known ahead of time what I was getting myself into. I really don't think I would've gone through with it.

Advice welcome.

Just a question for anybody here. I have the Lapband, and I was told I can drink all the way up to my meal, but I must stop during my meal and for 20-30 minutes after my meal. What is the logic for not drinking before the meal with the other surgeries?

I had the band and was converted to rny last year. The reason band rules are different is the Water goes right thru before you eat. Then you eat and shouldn't drink with your meal because that would push food thru, negating the band. For other WLS procedures, our pouches are very small and liquids can fill us up and then you don't eat enougj and get enough nutrients. That's why we stop 30 before and 30 after where banders only have the 30 after rule.

Hope this helps!

The reason for not drinking during your meal is because you lubricate the food and loosen it so that it is no longer dense and it leaves your sleeve as fast as you eat it and the flaps don't close unless the food is dense. Even after eating dense food our stomachs are so small that the food passes quickly out and goes to the intestines to start breaking it down so that we get the nutrients we need.

The stomach has acid in it that starts the process of digestion and because it is so small we have to take advantage of the limited time we have to keep food in our stomachs so that each part of the digestion system does its part.

That is why we take supplements because we cannot get everything we need to keep us healthy by just eating.

Some will, no matter what drink while they eat. But it is suggested not to.

And you are right..You should not have allowed this procedure until you were educated about all the changes you would have to go through regarding your body, mind and soul. I am sorry for that!

I echo a lot of folks' comments. I think your surgeon did you wrong. Maybe he doesn't think so. He knows you and your family obviously. Maybe he is doing studies on imbrication. Who knows.

A lot of folks on here who paid cash are probably really jealous right now. Those of us with insurance are dumbfounded on your behalf.

Whatever sounds like you were done wrong. You need to think long and hard about your next steps. Removal will need tobe by this surgeon and he's gonna have to get creative on how to tell your insurance and the hospital what he's doing.

I am so confused. I say this because I am having a cyst removed during my rny surgery on Monday. I had to meet with my ob/gyn and my weight loss surgeon seperately. When I went to my preop last weekend ,I signed forms for both procedures. Its crazy that a suregeon did another surgery without mentioning the side effects and such,I would be appalled.

Let me be Danny Downer. This is only one side of a story. "IF" this surgeon didn't prepare and advise his patient, that's malpractice.

Edited June 12, 201412 yr by 2muchfun

Let me be Danny Downer. This is only one side of a story. "IF" this surgeon didn't prepare and advise his patient, that's malpractice. If?

it is. its illegal to not have a patient sign informed consent forms fully informing the patient about all aspects of the surgery.

I agree with u ladies this doesn't side quiet right