I was banded on May 9, 2008 and I am on mushy foods right now. I have had no problem with eating, and I haven't been sick at all. The only thing that I completely hate about lap band is the fact that I can not drink while I eat. UGH, I love spicy food and its so hard to enjoy it when ur mouth is on fire. I know that it's more than a fair trade: No drinking with meals or for an hour after eating VS being fat...BuT, its still really hard for me. Anyone else feel the same or have another problem with having lap band?

Hi there

Yes I am the same way. Especially when you eat something that is kind of dry or gets dry like sometimes beans and you can't drink. I have gotten use to not drinking. My problem is the wait for 30 mins after you eat..The only thing I don't get is what's the difference on not drinking while you eat verses eatting cerial and milk?? That's just like eatting and drinking?? I never understood that but I guess I will just have to ask my Dr that question. You will get use to the drinking part. I sometimes take little sips if I have to. It won't hurt you. It's not like you are drinking a whole glass..

I am having trouble also. It is a hard habit to break. I keep thinking that I will just put my Water in the fridge that way I won't be tempted....but still haven't done it yet.....I'm still having trouble about not drinking 45 min before/after.

I have that trouble too, especially with spicy food. I've taken to getting a glass of water with extra ice and when the burning is about to get too bad, I'll take a small ice cube on my tongue and let it melt. It's about the same amount of water as a small sip, the cold helps the burning and makes me wait a few extra moments before my next bite.

I too was having a hard time trying to get used to not drinking with the meal. My nutritionist suggested using yogurt or applesauce to help clear your food at the end of the meal... it works for me!:biggrin2:

Tess

I don't eat spicey, but it was hard to stop drinking with meals. I ALWAYS have a giant cup of water with me. I finally just had to leave the water in the other room when I ate. I still have trouble remembering when I go out to eat. The cup is right in front of me, so I pick it up unconciously. My doc said I could drink right up until I ate, and I do. In the AM and PM it is hot water cause I'm tighter at those times. Still no drinking 30 to 45 min after eating. Drinking with our food is just another habit we have to learn to break. I have discovered though, the first time I had a "hard stop" and felt stuck, I was sure some warm water would help. WRONG!!! It's like if you have a clogged drain, pouring water down it is only gonna make it back up more!

I was actually wondering about this too. I LOVE LOVE spicy food. The hotter the better, but I'll always have something to drink, or bread, by me for those times that its just too hot. I wonder what I'll do in those situations...?

I received a newsletter from the Bariatric group where one person suggested "cutting a thin slice of apple and putting it on your tongue" so you aren't so tempted to drink after your meal.

I've been trying not to drink while eating and waiting the 30 minutes after, but man, that's tough! I guess its better to try to break those habits now, before the band than after.

Can we just suck on Ice Cubes, with meals? I don't think that should hurt the band.

My dr told me that the reason they dont want you to drink anything for 30 minutes after eating is not because it will hurt your band, its because drinking liquids will thin out what you just ate and allow it to pass through the band and take away the feeling of being full so then you will want to eat twice as much and defeat the purpose of having the band

I love spicy/mexican food too. I've already fixed 2 casseroles for my soft food stage. My trick, I add a thin layer of FF sour crm to the top of my portion. It really helps cut down the burning!!

I love spicy/mexican food too. I've already fixed 2 casseroles for my soft food stage. My trick, I add a thin layer of FF sour crm to the top of my portion. It really helps cut down the burning!!

neverB4 - What type of casseroles have you fixed for your soft food stage? recipes?

I was banded on May 9, 2008 and I am on mushy foods right now. I have had no problem with eating, and I haven't been sick at all. The only thing that I completely hate about lap band is the fact that I can not drink while I eat. UGH, I love spicy food and its so hard to enjoy it when ur mouth is on fire. I know that it's more than a fair trade: No drinking with meals or for an hour after eating VS being fat...BuT, its still really hard for me. Anyone else feel the same or have another problem with having lap band?

Yes that is a problem. It is a habit that is hard to break. Especially in the morning. Should I have my coffee first or eat and wait. Eating usally wins out. It is 10:05 am and I am having my first cup of coffee now. I was banded on April 28, 2008 and have lost a total of 24 lbs. It is really not that bad. Losing weight every couple of days is what keeps me going. Keep up the good work.

It takes a lot of getting used to. The worst part is eating out and convincing the server that you really don't want anything to drink. They seem to think they aren't doing their job if you don't at least have a glass of Water. I am like many others, if it is there, I will pick it up out of habit so I politely tell them that I don't care for anything to drink and then give them a good tip for complying with my wishes. Just keep practicing, now that I am four months from my surgery it is much more of a habit.

I don't know what to tell you about spicy, I usually avoid spicy foods but I like the sour cream idea.

This to is by far my hardest part.. I was always given a drink with my meals since childhood.. so at times I forget and I dont beat myself up.. I just decide to stop and finish eating then move on...

I had to make a choice to drink my coffee first, wait 30 mins then have breakfast.. the other way around I wanted to drink coffee while eating.... make sense?? lol

I've been banded for 2 1/2 months, I measure my food at 1 1/2 oz per meal and I drink what I want when I want with the food, although my surgeon advises against it. My problem would be not getting enough Water if I am waiting 4 1/2 hours total a day after meals to drink. Since my second fill (10 cc's in a 14 cc band) I have haven't had any bad hunger pangs, in fact the surgeon prescribed me Phentermine - which has become a God-send. Today I forgot to take it and I was hungry an hour after breakfast. I took it and I couldn't hardly eat my lunch. Although I never advised to not do something the doctor tells you to do. I also fully believe that you know your own body, and if you are like me and not willing to waste your band you will adjust your food/drinking quantities and time to make it work for you. By the way, Since my fill 5 days ago I have dropped 7 more lbs.

Thanks

Well, I don't think that drinking with meals or sucking on ice in any way actaully can hurt the band. i was told by my doctor that the reason u cant drink with meals is...the liquid causes the food to exist the small pouch, then you will not get feel for a long time. and u will be hungry again quickly after eating. drinking with meals completely defeats the purpose of the band.