Hi,

I was banded on 2 April 2008 in TJ, Mexico. I have no problems other than when I eat too fast - oh the pain!

I have a couple of questions: I am able to drink with my meals and am wondering if that is unusual and also, I have not had a fill yet, and want to know what I can expect for weight loss. I have been maintaining the same loss of 8-10 lbs since being banded, (getting discouraging, but I haven't been dieting) and I notice that my appetite is starting to increase. I will be visiting with a doctor to discuss a fill next week and hope to get one the week after. Any comments/suggestions etc would be most helpful.

Best, Helen:ohmy:

Most people are able to drink with their meals, although at some point if you get tight enough and try to drink right after eating solid food it might just come back up.

The idea is to avoid drinking with your meals though, so you don't wash the food through and eat more than you should. Although without restriction, your food is probably just dropping right through anyway. One of the things that's contributing to your appetite increase.

You'll probably start losing once you get some fill, unless you are willing to start monitoring your portions/calories now.

Hi Molly,

Thanks so much for your quick reply.

Helen

it's really not a question of whether you CAN drink with meals, but whether you SHOULD.

in the clinic i attend, the dr and nutritionist advise no drinking 15 minutes before meals, none during the meal, and none until 1 hour after. this does 2 things: first, you don't fill up your pouch with fluid (and it's "dry" when the food goes in, so like you've been told, the food doesn't just "wash" thru) and second, it encourages your salivary glands to work properly. the saliva in your mouth begins the digestion process and you really need that (not water or tea or whatever). the 15/60 drinking rule is one of the primary behavior modifications and my dr asks about it EVERY time i get fills.

it sounds like a lot of the people who get the procedure done in mexico don't get a lot of the behavioral explanations. that's too bad. good luck.

Hi,

Thanks for responding about the liquid-but I don't want anyone to think that the info and staff at TJ was anything but great. I was told about not drinking one hour before and after a meal (actually a little longer than you mentioned) .

My question comes about because after about 4 weeks of following the rules, I just decided to drink one day when I was extra thirsty during a meal and have continued to do so ever since. I did not remember if the drinking of liquids without having a fill yet, would have an effect on my band. And therefore I inquired.

thanks for your reponse,

Helen