I have read in a couple of places about how you are not supposed to drink liquids with meals when you finally begin to eat solid food - wait an hour and then drink. Is this helpful? :ranger: Also, I read about foods lap-banders can't tolerate, and I am wondering how you know if you can't tolerate something - is it just a tummy ache, or actual barfing? :sick Thanks!!

You should wait at least 1 hour after a meal before drinking is because it will essentially flush all of the food through the band. This defeats the whole purpose of the band, which is to restrict your intake and make you full on less food. If you've flushed the food through your band, you're going to get hungry sooner than you should.

I just got my band Thursday so I don't know the answer to your other question.

The drinking think, doesnt really make a difference to me, so I dont really get pedantic about it, I drink when I want to. But overtime, with increasing fill I've found myself not drinking with meals or immediately after because it does make me feel stuck or blocked up. Normally I let my food go down a bit first before I drink.

I've had my band for about 5 weeks now. My surgeon and nutritionist both told me that it would be okay to start taking small sips of water 30 min. after eating a meal and that should be okay. So I try to wait between 30-45 minutes and then I usually am good. And with the food thing that lap banders cant tolerate it feels like something is actually stuck sitting there and when this happens, I noticed that is usually comes back up within a few minutes.

I pretty much follow the 1/2 hr before and 1 hr after rule for drinking.

I havent found any food I cannot tolerate, but have given up bread, except toasted whole wheat pitas, rice, potatoes, mangos and beef/pork. So far I have not missed any of them.

Do you get the same benefit from drinking Crystal Lite as you do from drinking plain water?

I pretty much follow the 1/2 hr before and 1 hr after rule for drinking.

I havent found any food I cannot tolerate, but have given up bread, except toasted whole wheat pitas, rice, potatoes, mangos and beef/pork. So far I have not missed any of them.

I follow the same rules with drinking, I found if i wait 30 mintues to drink after a meal i will get hungry faster and sooner.

So i wait an hour after i eat. I do drink right up until I eat ( more so when im eating out and then I do not even drink half of a glass , usually half of half a glass LOL ) But if I drink after an hour of eating I stay full longer .

HTH

Mindy

Do you get the same benefit from drinking Crystal Lite as you do from drinking plain Water?

Yep, Just a very few calories with the crystal light, but it adds variety to the daily water intake. Plus I take the single packs with me everywhere in case I am out and want a change from plain water.

Thanks Dave. A friend told me that if I add anything at all to my water that it would not count toward the 64 oz. that are recommended.

Crystal Light sure makes it easier to get down.

It was a big challenge to give up drinking originally. I still order one with a meal, but I weaned down to 1-2 TINY sips per meal (it looks like I never touched my drink).. and then I always get it to go (unsweet tea with lots of lemon!).

At first it was hard, but honestly after a fill or two, its HARD to drink while eating. If I ever try to really have a sip of something while eating, I get a painful knot in my stomach. So I went from dying to have drinks while eating, to not caring for it. But I always have it for later!

Yes...Crystal Light DOES count toward your water. No cals, no sugar - absolutely.

It's the caffeinated drinks that can't be counted.

As for drinking with meals...as much as you may want to - you may soon discover how uncomfortable it can be.

I drink a hot liquid--like coffee--before I eat in the morning.

I drink my water before I eat and take little sips all day long.

I have trouble eating dense meats like steak. Bummer.

Darr

I drink a hot liquid--like coffee--before I eat in the morning.

I drink my water before I eat and take little sips all day long.

I have trouble eating dense meats like steak. Bummer.

Darr

i also have a problem with steaks... the only steak i can possibly have is well Filet mingon... and those are small to beginning with(not to mention expensive) If i really have a bad craving ill buy it but i got over it

I am finding this terribly difficult. All my life I've been told not to drink with my meals, and now again! Boy, it takes concentration, I still catch myself with a glass in my hand. I have no fill so far, so its not too drastic, but I'm in training for my first fill, as barfing and me - we don't get on!!!