Hi All,

I'm pretty new to the site and was wondering why you can't drink while eating? I tried to search it but no luck.

Thanks - Misty

Liquids wash food out of the pouch. The whole point of the band is to create a little pouch that empties slower so you feel full longer on less food. If you drink with your food, you just wash it right on through. Some folks say they take tiny sips if necessary. One poster said her surgeon said if she had to have someting to drink, to put a galss with ice cubes in it by her plate and what melted over the course of her meal was what she could sip.

This is going to be one of the hardest things for me to adjust to. I started trying to do it in January so I was prepared.

I'm in the very begining stages of paper work etc... and wasn't sure why you couldn't drink while eating - it makes since now. Thanks

Not only are you not supposed to drink while you eat - but you're not supposed to drink a half hour before or an hour and a half afterwards! But you're still supposed to get your eight glasses down a day!!!! I knew this would be the biggest challenge for me. I am in week eight post op and I must say that I do drink with my meals half the time - just not much. I have also been bad about the half hour prior and hour and a half wait after. It is till SO worth having done. I am losing sloooowly - 11 lbs since surgery May 8th. 215 to 203. Maybe that's why because I eat way more than a half a cup! My doctor also told me that the band was way loose on me. He doesn't usually fill the band during surgery because there is swelling but he put 2 cc's in to make up for the loseness. I've had one fill and now I'm a 4.4 cc. I can still eat a 6 inch sub!!!!! But befroe I would eat chips and a soda with it. After tat sub I couldn't have possibly eaten anything else. Still, I don't think you're supposed to be able to eat 6 inch subs. *LOL* I'm actually pleased that I am losing slow because I didn't want a lot of attention and questions from ppl. Plus, I hope it will help prevent a lot of loose skin. Anyway, back to the subject. It is hard not to drink but it won't kill you if you sip a little during meals.

I too am having a hard time with the water. I am doing good with not drinking before and after a meal but it is harder for me after a meal

Mysticstar, I haven't been having as much of a problem since I'm still on liquids, I was banded five days before you, what stage are you at now? Perhaps try the melting ice in a glass idea. I think that is what I'll do.

At my appointment the doctor gave me the ok for mashed or pureed foods.

I am also thinking to do the ice in the glass idea.

OMG sugar free popsicles are the answer...what a lifesaver!!

From what I remember it's because it will either fill you up (my case) and you can't eat and/or for some it helps the food go down easier letting you "cheat" the band and eat more!

I haven't found that liquid fills me up - but I do know that it washes food down past the band. Oh, and the POPCYCLES!!! :clap2: YES! Popcycle brand has has them in Diet Dr Pepper, Diet Orange Crush, and Diet Rootbeer. Sometimes if I can't make it the whole hour and a half after a meal I'll have a popcycle and it helps.

Boy, I tell ya I'm retarded when it comes to this web site. I wanted a picture on the left by my username as well as my doctor's name - like everyone else - but nooooo....the only place I could find for it was the signature area. Help anyone?

The guy that invented lap bands did a seminar a year ago, and he said the most important thing is the drinking rule. He said there is absolutely no reason to get a lap band if you wash the food down, and essentially negate the whole thing. He recommends...OK to drink up until the meal...in fact go ahead and drink your drink right up until the food comes. Then no liquids for 1/5 hours. Then start drinking your water until the next meal.

One more question concerning liquids...... I'm a big guzzler of bottled water after biking, walking, gardening, when it's hot etc... I'm not gonna be able to do this am I????

Everybody is different. If you're really restricted, you might end up leaning a bit more toward sipping than guzzling, but I know some confirmed guzzler bandsters too. Here's the thing: I have a friend who can eat bigger meals and guzzle water best right after exercise, so she does. For me, I have the most restriction in the mornings AND right after exercise, so if I guzzled then, I might stretch my pouch....but the thing is, I just don't want to guzzle when I am really restricted. Once you get to know your finicky band friend, you two will come to an understanding that works for both of you.