Hi all! I'm pre-op but starting to practice the no drinking rule before/during/after meal.

I find it somewhat difficult but know it will get easier. Wondering what your personal experience has been with this? Does it become easier after surgery to not have fluids with your meal?

Thanks for the insight!

It's a hard habit to break for sure, made worse by family/friends/waiters who automatically bring you a drink with your food! It's just so unnatural

Nope. It sucks.

I don't have a choice, however, because if I drink after I eat, I vomit. So easier? No, but can I do it? Yup. At 21 months out, it's habit, but it's frustrating at times.

Totally worth it, though.

This part does not seem to get easier for me (yet). In fact, its been my most challenging change thus far. I absolutely loved having a cold drink w/ my meals. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that this habit will get easier as the months pass. Maybe it will for you. Sorry that I couldn't give better news but I wanted to be honest.

I followed the no drinking with meals part while I was losing. It really wasn't that hard...the tiniest amount of food would leave me stuffed and definitely no room for liquids. Once I passed goal, I started sipping with my meals. The biggest reason why we shouldn't do it is because liquid flushes the food out of our stomachs quicker so we get hungry sooner and may eat again too soon. Well I discovered I get hungry every 2-3 hours whether I drink or not, so I don't bother separating eating and drinking anymore.

Edited February 22, 201511 yr by Kindle

Surprisingly, it hasn't been bad for me. I drink about two cups of water before I eat and I do ok. Every once in a while I miss drinking, depending on the meal.

I make sure to move my glass away or not have it on the table at all.

Definately a challenge at times, but a small price to pay for the results.

The worst part is, because I was used to drinking with meals, in-between times I get so busy I forget! Then I get to a point where I'm hungry AND thirsty and need to make a choice!

I am 8 weeks post op and I sip a little when I eat. I don't sip enough for it to fill me at all and I usually do it after I have eaten a little or al of my food. I am fortunate that this has not been a problem for me.

After I reached 6 months post-op, I experimented with drinking less than 1/2 hour before my meals and found that if I stop drinking 10 - 15 minutes before I eat, I'm fine. However, I really need at least 45 minutes after I eat to start drinking again. This has been inconvenient and problematic because I'm often behind in my fluid intake and need to catch up, but I have to wait because I was also hungry and chose food over water.

This is the only rule I'm finding difficult. Pre-surgery I drank water all the time. Now it's a chore because I have to do so by the clock. But like most habits I'm hoping to be able to get in the groove and make this rule second nature too.

The reason for the seperation of drinking and eating is so you don't fill your stomach with liquid so you have room for Protein. Also, it can stretch your sleeve.

I find this task super hard as I always like to drink something while I am eating. Sometimes, I feel like I am going to choke if I don't drink something. Ugh.

Liquid won't stretch your sleeve.

Agree it is one of hardest things but once you get used to it...just becomes part of your new way of life eating-wise! I found hardest part was no fizzy drinks. Used to have diet coke with all my meals! Oh well being skinnier is a far better price ????

I'm only out a couple of weeks, but I just had a thought. I'm from south Louisiana, where the majority of the food is spicy. My favorite food is hot, spicy crawfish!!! How on earth do you eat spicy food and NOT drink??? Oh, I'm soooo screwed!!!

I'm only out a couple of weeks, but I just had a thought. I'm from south Louisiana, where the majority of the food is spicy. My favorite food is hot, spicy crawfish!!! How on earth do you eat spicy food and NOT drink??? Oh, I'm soooo screwed!!!

Yeah, you are screwed.

The new tummy won't tolerate spicy food for a while. I found that out when I had "normal" turkey chili that happened to have a tiny bit of spice.

Yeah, you are screwed.

The new tummy won't tolerate spicy food for a while. I found that out when I had "normal" turkey chili that happened to have a tiny bit of spice.

Not necessarily. I started eating spicy food with my pureed stage and did just fine. I am the hot sauce queen so I use it to flavor everything. It sucks not being able to take a sip of drink with it but I've adjusted.