My plan says to wait 30 min after drinking before eating, then take 30 minutes to eat, then wait 30 minutes after eating before drinking again. So, at what point can you relax/eliminate this practice?

I am 6 months out and can fudge a little on the 30 minutes before a meal part of the equation, but I need more than 30 minutes after a meal before I can drink comfortably. I guess you have to listen to your body to know what's right for you.

@@EllieMae I think they want you to stay on it but I'm not so sure people really do to that for life?

My surgeon basically told me that all of these changes are for a year. After that you can relax on the rules a bit, as your body allows. Of course, the hope is that after a year you have developed healthy habits and are more in tune with what your body is telling you.

Every Doctor and every person is different. Your mileage may vary!

Thank you for the replies. I feel like I'm constantly watching the clock! If I didn't, I wouldn't be able to get in everything that's required (and still don't about half the time).

I think the 30 minutes prior to eating is up for debate. I've heard we can drink up until we take the first bite but drink nothing with the meal, Then others say 30 minutes prior. I usually stop drinking 5-10 minutes prior to my meal and wait about 30 after to drink again. This as worked really well for me. I feel that my pouch tends to stay full for several hours doing this, right around the time for the next meal. The one time I drank liquids ( a Protein shake) with my meal I was hungry again within the hour so I won't be doing that again. Also it usually only takes me 15-20 minutes for me to eat my meal. It's one of the things that still needs work.

My instructions were no drinking 5 minutes before and 45 minutes after. It's basically just so you don't flush the food out of your sleeve and get hungry sooner and eat too much. I stuck with it for probably 8 months, but don't really follow those "rules" at all anymore. I just drink whenever I want. I'm hungry every 3 hours whether I drink or not. The key is to eat healthy and not overeat.