So every book I've read, they say don't drink 30 minutes before eating and 30 minutes after eating..my surgical team told us we can drink right up to the first bite of food but not to drink for an hour after eating..why the difference? Is one method better than the other?

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I think that his video is a nice representation of the drinking after eating rule:

My surgeon said to wait 15-30 minutes but a few sips won't matter much if it's to help food go down. Every surgeon is different, though.

I am allowed to drink right up to the time I eat, but not for 20 minutes after. The drinking BEFORE eating thing is really only an issue in the very early stages. The concern there is that you will feel too "full" from drinking to eat as much food as you need. The ability to eat enough is less of an issue once you are healed up. So at that point, there's really no risk in drinking before eating. If it does make you too "full" to eat as much food, that's probably actually a good thing!

As for drinking after eating, I was told to wait 20 minutes, but honestly, even at over two years out, I couldn't drink less than 40 minutes after eating if I wanted to! I feel so full from food after I eat and if I try to drink too soon afterward, I can feel the Water just like sitting in my esophagus and it makes all these gurgling sounds. It's not pleasant! So for me 40-60 minutes after eating just happens naturally. I don't make a conscious effort to wait a certain amount of time. I just wait until I feel like I CAN comfortably drink again.

The REAL, CRITICAL key is to not eat and drink at the same time. Eating and drinking at the same time is a surefire way to eat around your restriction. Drinking while eating thins out the food (like in the video above) and allows it to pass through your stomach more quickly and easily.

Im 6 years out and can not ever eat and drink at the same time....at least 40 minutes after i wait but i really never think about it cause im so full

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I am allowed to drink right up to the time I eat, but not for 20 minutes after. The drinking BEFORE eating thing is really only an issue in the very early stages. The concern there is that you will feel too "full" from drinking to eat as much food as you need. The ability to eat enough is less of an issue once you are healed up. So at that point, there's really no risk in drinking before eating. If it does make you too "full" to eat as much food, that's probably actually a good thing!

As for drinking after eating, I was told to wait 20 minutes, but honestly, even at over two years out, I couldn't drink less than 40 minutes after eating if I wanted to! I feel so full from food after I eat and if I try to drink too soon afterward, I can feel the Water just like sitting in my esophagus and it makes all these gurgling sounds. It's not pleasant! So for me 40-60 minutes after eating just happens naturally. I don't make a conscious effort to wait a certain amount of time. I just wait until I feel like I CAN comfortably drink again.

The REAL, CRITICAL key is to not eat and drink at the same time. Eating and drinking at the same time is a surefire way to eat around your restriction. Drinking while eating thins out the food (like in the video above) and allows it to pass through your stomach more quickly and easily.

I agree with not drinking right after eating. I accidentally did once and never happened again..I have to push my drink away from where I am or I will grab for a drink by instinct..always just thinking about getting that water in..lol but I have wondered about the rule difference..an hour is hard for me but better if I chew gum or drink 30 minutes afterwards..I stay thirsty..I've even done liquid days just because I dreaded eating and waiting to drink lol thanks for the reply..

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Edited January 19, 20179 yr by Lucky2Lose

My Dr said 30 before and 30 after. She said since I'm so dehydrated still she wants me to drink up to the point I eat and wait 10 mins after before I start again.

HW 270

SW 253

CW 224

5'1" tall

Sleeved 12/22/2016!