Hi guys, I was wondering if anybody could help me???? Can you drink just before you eat?? Or should It be 30min before, just like it's 30min.after??? Thank you in advanced I really need to know, don't want to mess things up..

Tara

Lots of people follow different rules about drinking. I was told to stop 1/2 hour before and 1/2 hour after eating. However, I chose to wait a full hour after eating because it keeps me full longer.

I wasn't told to avoid drinking before eating for any length of time. After eating the wisdom is to refrain from drinking for an hour or so, because it will wash food through and make you hungry sooner. But I can't think of any reason why we shouldn't drink before meals, even right up to eating.

If I drink anything before I eat I have more of a tendacy to pb, that is when I have restriction mind you. So, I try not to drink 30-20 minutes prior to eating.

I was told to not drink anything for at least a half hour before and up to a half hour after. But like Lisa I try to wait the whole hour.

I can't drink before cause it fills me up and increases my restriction if I drink cold liquids. It opens me up more if I drink warm or hot liquids. SO I DON'T DRINK ANYTHING before. LOL!!!!

I drink right up to my first bite! I wait an hour after my meals before drinking again.

I do exactly what Betty does, which is my dr's protocal.

Same as Betty and Karen.

I wait 30 minutes before or after. If I don't, I either start burping or PB (yuk).

I asked why we're supposed to wait 1/2 hour before eating. When you eat or drink (even water) your pouch & stomach start moving to process it. So if you drink up until the first bite, your parts are already wiggling around and the digestive process is already going, so anything you eat will get digested faster since it's introduced when everything is moving. Since the object is to keep the food in your pouch longer, it defeats the purpose by drinking up until you eat. Plus, Water in your lower belly will give you more restriction, so you won't be able to eat enough, which will leave you hungry sooner.

That's not the exact words, but it's the best way I can explain it. But I decided long ago not to listen to one doctor - instead I read everything around LBT and tested things for myself. I can't eat much if I drink up till the last minute, and I'm always hungry an hour later. For me, the waiting rules are a must.

But all of us are different. Lots of people have learned how to eat in their heads, so they stop eating after they know they've had enough and they don't eat again till their next meal. I'm one of the weak Bandsters that still has to rely on my Band to feel full because my head still wants to gorge. The only way my band stays full is if I avoid liquids before and after eating. I don't even drink after lunch till almost 4:00 p.m. because the full feeling stays with me till I kick in the water again.

(edited for typo)

HUM, I am going to try not drinking before, and see how full I get, and stay.. I just want to thank all of you for your imput, I can't express how much LBT helps me every day!!! My goal is to eat with my head and not my band..... It's not easy for me...

Tara