Is the ban on having a drink with your meal a lifetime commitment or at some point is it okay to start having drinks with your food again? If so when?

There are no stupid questions--we all wondered the same things before surgery.

The answer, at least according to my surgeon, is that it's a lifetime commitment. It was really difficult for me at first, but now it seems normal not to drink with meals.

It just feels so uncomfortable if I do drink with or immediately before or after a meal. Plus I can’t eat much if I drink before or during. I don’t miss it either. I’ve been having soup a bit recently & it’s a real challenge to eat unless it’s a really thick dense soup (& I love a bowl of home made soup). All you can do it give it a try & see if you are someone who can.

We’re all still learning so all questions have value here. ?

lifetime

It's definitely lifetime if you want the best results for your wright. When you drink while you eat, my understanding is that you can wash the food down so you don't feel the restriction and feel "full". I think it can also affect your digestion. Something about diluting the enzymes. My (uneducated) guess is also that it would expand/stretch your pouch eventually.

I'm three years out and I can drink while I eat. I do occasionally sip wine during a meal on very special occasions, but only very small amount. I also have water with some meals to take my medication with food (it helps with nausea triggered by medications), but again only a small amount to gulp down the pills. I do better maintaining my weight when I avoid drinking with meals. If you can, I would definitely aim to stick with this rule for life!

I've made a conscious decision not to eat and drink together as I want to maintain my sleeve's restriction for as long as I can. So I always wait at least half an hour after meals to drink, sometimes longer depending on how dense the food was. Like others have said above, it's my normal now. I do miss having a cup of tea and a piece of cake - but that combo was what helped me get into the position where I needed a sleeve! Plus the one time I tried it, by eating pumpkin soup and bread together, I spent a very unpleasant 30 minutes vomiting it all up. So I'm not really tempted to try again.

WOW i am the opposite - I hate eating without water. However i keep it low - Depending on the food i will take a sip every few bites. Unlike before where i would down 16 oz of beer or coke with dinner. I asked my doctor and he advised against it but stated once you get to where you want to be try different things to keep you on track

Definitely not stupid question. I’m 11 months out. Not drinking 30 minutes before, during & after was the hardest habit to break. Now it’s second nature. It is lifetime.
Theory is to always fill up with protein 1st to keep you satisfied & full. If you drink before eating fluid will fill part of pouch. If you drink during or after fluid will dilute protein. Works like a sieve & diluted protein passes thru quickly. You will then be hungrier sooner as protein not stored. And of course we want protein to last in body longer for muscle building & other essential properties protein supplies.