Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Eating and Drinking At the Same Time (Post-Op)



Recommended Posts

Hi Everyone:

I am wondering about something. I had surgery on 8/13 and one of the post-op rules is (as you all know) to wait 5 minutes after drinking before eating and also to wait 20 minutes after eating before drinking.

With that said -- does that mean that we should elminiate things like crunch cereals with milk? It sounds like an ignorant question and probably is but having cold Cereal is really like drinking and eating at the same time.

Any thoughts?:ranger:

/nilsa

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I do still have Cereal but there is a lot of gurgling going on because of the milk and the cereal. The whole point of not drinking is to not flush the food through too fast.

I use less milk than I used to, to help prevent that and I don't drink any left over milk either.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I asked my a nurse that and she said bandsters don't eat cereal...(I still do on occasion) but then again I am not your model bandster...

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

my doc and nutritionist said that we should not have any liquid 30 minutes before and 1 hour after meals. i would assume that means milk with cereal. my hubby is six weeks post op and only now are they telling him that he can even have any carbs in his diet. But every doc is different. Good Luck

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hi there!

My doctor gave me a diet that said to take in only liquids for the first 14 days after surgery (6-8 cups of fluid/day and 90 grams of protein/day). They suggested ProComplex Protein powder (2 scoops=35 grams protein) mixed with 8-12 ounces of Water or skim/soy milk. They said no carbonated beverages or straws to reduce taking in air that could cause gas. The shakes were spread out into mini "meals" during the day. Between the shakes, I could drink Water, Crystal Light, clear broth, or have lowfat, low sugar yogurt or pudding.

My doctor gave me very specific instructions about eating and drinking once I was onto mushy foods (2 weeks after surgery-6 weeks after surgery). They said not to eat and drink at the same time. liquids should be taken 15-30 minutes before and 30-45 minutes after meals.

I haven't eaten cereal since my surgery because the doctor said to eat high Protein foods first (need at least 60 grams/day) and then non-starchy vegetables. Carbs were not encouraged at all, so I've been trying to avoid them as much as possible.

Hope this helps!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

since I don't have a fill right now, there is absolutely no restriction. I mean i feel as if my stomach shrunk to a certain degree but I am really acting on my own right now. I am having hot farina (oatmeal type) cereal. it fills me and has a good taste.

/n.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I love farina. I have found that it really stays with you for at least 4 hours. I make it with milk so I get one of my dairy's in at the same time.

1 tsp of I cant believe it's not butter light and yumm.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I'm feeling alittle guilty. I am trying to break the habit of drinking while eating, but I cheat. I worry that it will make the band slip. Is that possible?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

danielle,

it isnt that the band may slip, you will just lose your 'full' feeling sooner.

defeats the purpose of the band. my advice would be just to stop. i was a HUGE drinker with meals. you may just need to not pour you a drink while eating. it really has helped me a bunch.

good luck.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Since I have good restriction... I CAN NOT Drink anything for at least 15 mins after I eat or it comes right back up....:)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

*technically* I think cereal is a no-no, if you're following protein-first rule.

On the other hand, I do have cereal occasionally.. and I use 1/4th the milk I use to.. I just just enough milk to get everything glossy, and maybe 1/2 tbsp is left over in the bottom, and I don't drink it.

My doctor said don't drink 30m before eating, or 1 hour after eating..

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

AND.. not exactly like Livin, but if I do drink right after eating (its rare), it is not a comfortable feeling. I can tell my stoma has some food sitting in it, and the liquid doesn't go through.. then it feels like it's pushing things.. So, drinking while eating isn't as 'fun' as it use to be either!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I know we should keep the carbs to a minimum, but eating a good fibre Cereal helps with the plumbing - mixing that cereal (1/4 cup of high fibre type) with yogurt or low fat cottage cheese might be a good option for Breakfast - worth a look at.

Cindy

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I still have cereal. I can't to Proteins all the time. I will be able to supplement with exercise soon. going back to gym this weekend finally. but all proteins - kills my system personally and i'm personally done with shakes. I am going to buy the Liquid Protein bullets. they are good with lemonade.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

You could eat Kashi Go Lean. It is high in Protein and high in Fiber. Start out with a small amount though because it gives me much gas. But keeps my system running smoothly if you know what I mean. I think it has about 8 grams of protein. My husband jokes that if he eats that for Breakfast he is full all day and doens't need to eat but of course he does-----------------------------

shelli:girl_hug:

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 2 replies
      1. Selina333

        I'm so happy for you! You are about to change your life. I was so glad to get the sleeve done in Dec. I didn't have feelings of regret overall. And I'm down almost 60 lbs. I do feel a little sad at restaurants. I can barely eat half a kid's meal. I get adults meals often because kid ones don't have the same offerings at times. Then I feel obligated to eat on that until it's gone and that can be days. So the restaurant thing isn't great for me. All the rest is fine by me! I love feeling full with very little. I do wish I could drink when eating. And will sip at the end. Just a strong habit to stop. But I'm working on it! You will do fine! Just keep focused on your desire to be different. Not better or worse. But different. I am happy both ways but my low back doesn't like me that heavy. So I listened (also my feet!). LOL! Update us on your journey! I'm not far from you. I'm in Houston. Good luck and I hope it all goes smoothly! Would love to see pics of the town you go to for this. I've never been there. Neat you will be traveling for this! Enjoy the journey. Take it one day at a time. Sometimes a few hours at a time. Follow all recommendations as best you can. 💗

      2. Doughgurl

        Thank you so much for your well wishes. I am hoping that everything goes easy for me as well. We don't eat out much as it is, so it wont be too bad in that department. Thankfully. Also, I hear you regarding your back and feet!! I'd like to add knees to the list. Killing me as we speak! I'm only 5' so the weight has to go. Too short to carry all this weight. Menopause really did a doosey on me. (😶lol) My daughter also lives in Houston. with her Husband and my 5 grand-littles. I grew up in Beaumont, so I know Houston well, I will be sure to keep in touch and update you on my journey. I may need some advice in the future, or just motivation. Thank You so much for reaching out, I was hoping to connect with someone in the community. I really appreciate it. 💜

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

    • CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×