So, my plan has no drinking during eating and no drinking before/after eating for 30 minutes. I understand the during and after, but how important is the 30 minute wait before, and why does it exist?

I wonder the same thing.

For me- when I drink right up until I eat, I am full pretty much right away....the more empty my pouch is, the more I can actually eat what I am supposed to. that being said- I drink most days all day except after and during eating because it's really just not possible or I get sick.

The reason for the no drinking before eating is so that the food you have hopefully chewed excessively doesn't get washed out of your pouch or sleeve before it has had an opportunity to fully digest. Prematurely evacuating the stomach area leads to malabsorption and hunger that returns too quickly.

It is more important early on, say the first year. After that, it is less of an issue. I can drink up to the moment I start eating now as long as I am not drinking large volumes.

The recommendation varies by medical team. Mine says I can drink right up to eating with no delay in between, but no drinking 30 mins after.

1 hour ago, BigViffer said:

The reason for the no drinking before eating is so that the food you have hopefully chewed excessively doesn't get washed out of your pouch or sleeve before it has had an opportunity to fully digest. Prematurely evacuating the stomach area leads to malabsorption and hunger that returns too quickly.

It is more important early on, say the first year. After that, it is less of an issue. I can drink up to the moment I start eating now as long as I am not drinking large volumes.

See, I thought that was the reason for after, not before. During as well. Before there's no food in the stomach for the liquid to wash down.

See, I thought that was the reason for after, not before. During as well. Before there's no food in the stomach for the liquid to wash down.

I agree. I usually drink some time before eating, and I imagine it runs right through my pouch, so I don't worry about it. I definitely do not drink during eating or for 30 minutes after.

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The before is not such a big deal, as the fluid empties out quickly; indeed, I there are some bypass specific surgeons who recommend a pre-drink around 15 minutes before. The main exception to this where a half hour-ish wait may be needed is in those patients who experience substantial inflammation in the stomach early on, and the water may not empty all that quickly. Otherwise, physiologically, it doesn't make much sense.

2 hours ago, RickM said:

The main exception to this where a half hour-ish wait may be needed is in those patients who experience substantial inflammation in the stomach early on, and the Water may not empty all that quickly. Otherwise, physiologically, it doesn't make much sense.

Bingo. This is precisely why I said that it is mainly an issue in the first year. Liquid does not necessarily flow through the stomach like a straw. The pylorus still catches the liquid that gets mixed with any digestive juices and washed out when the pylorus relaxes.

I can drink up until my first bite then no more.

I just have a question... if we could just wash the food through our systems, surely the weight would be dropping off? Aside from the lack of nutrition, wouldn't that be a great way for people to lose pounds? I don't know if I really believe that it just washes the food through without any calorie intake.

I have serious issues with not drinking while eating or right after. I have to leave my drink completely off the table or I forget.
Such a hard habit to break.

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16 hours ago, froufrou said:

I just have a question... if we could just wash the food through our systems, surely the weight would be dropping off? Aside from the lack of nutrition, wouldn't that be a great way for people to lose pounds? I don't know if I really believe that it just washes the food through without any calorie intake.

Food being washed out of the stomach leads to decreased satiety, which leads to eating sooner.

My doc only has a no drinking while eating rule. But before and after are fine. He said he finds it’s too easy to get dehydrated when there’s 4.5 hours during the day that patients can’t consume fluids. And that’s just for meals. When you add in snacks it’s closer to 7 hours. He’s a proponent of eating 4-6 small meals a day though so that’s probably why. It’s still really hard to imagine not eating my glass of tea next to me.

On 8/14/2019 at 10:04 AM, BigViffer said:

Food being washed out of the stomach leads to decreased satiety, which leads to eating sooner.

I still am not convinced. If you eat the same amount as usual but drink then surely people would be using this as a form of weight loss... despite feeling hungry.

On 8/13/2019 at 10:46 AM, Jobber said:

The recommendation varies by medical team. Mine says I can drink right up to eating with no delay in between, but no drinking 30 mins after.

Same!