Is true You're not suppossed to drink any thing when you eat? Can you have any carbonation at all? For ezample if you drank less then half a can of soda would it hurt you?

My surgeon says that if you drink with meals, you wash out the pouch, which will make you want more food, he says your results will be better if you wait 30 minutes after eating. As for sodas, he says you can have anything diet, just not straight out of the can, let it sit in a glass for a few minutes, to lose some carbonation. Good luck from Louisville, KY

Exactly what mec said, what's the point in going thru this entire process to drink at meals when the food will be washed away and you won't feel full so you'll go back and eat again, I don't have the band yet and I know it's going to be hell trying to change my habits but it will definitely be worth it - Just remember every doctor tells you something different, mine said diet drinks are fine as long as the fizz is gone - the only one I've found that the fizz goes straight away is pepsi max lite so I'll be sticking to that. As for drinking with meals mine is 15 minutes before have a drink then wait 30 minutes after, pretty good compaired to some who are told to wait 45 minutes before & after.

I was told no carbonation ever. I don't like soda and haven't tried it. But it stands to reason if you let it go flat, you can drink it (but, ewwwww) And you need to get 64 oz of Water in first. That's a lot of drinking.

My surgeon says no drinking 15 min before, during, or 15 min after a meal. Aside from perhaps washing food through, if it doesn't do that it can expand the pouch. (think if you have food in the stoma that hasn't gone through and drink several ounces. It will just sit there and expand your little new tummy) Personally if I forget and drink while I'm eating, it hurts. It's not that hard to do, once you get into the habit. There's no physiologic need to drink while eating (think of dogs, cats, horses, cows, etc etc) it's just a habit we humans have.

my nurse - the doc's wife said to get a glass of ice and as it melts drink it while you eat --- that at least gives you some liquid

I have gotten used to not drinking while eating

My doc says no drinking before during of after meals for the same reasons stated above. Also stressed no soda or carbonation what so ever. You can read a lot on this forum about the stress it can cause on your pouch. I read several people letting it go flat, but I cannot stand flat pop.

wow i wasn't told any of this. I never asked either though. I have been sipping my drinks when I eat. not drinking a big amount I haven't tried pop yet, but i never asked about it either.

Ashley is your surgeon new? I know they are all different (goodness are they different!) but the "no drinking while eating" and the "liquids post op" are both very common directions that you didn't get.

Please understand I am NOT saying go against your surgeon! It's just odd that your directions are so very different!

This is a link to dietary guidelines from the makers of the lap band system....please realize they are just GUIDELINES and most surgeons modify them a bit to suit their practice. And for all I know you have the realize band; it's different I believe. Anyway, this may be something to ask your surgeon about:

Lapband.com - After LAP-BAND® System Surgery - Recovery & First Few Weeks

I just reviewed the provided link and couldn't find any reference to soda pop...did I read it too fast?

Mimi

i am allowed to drink diet sodas. i do drink before i eat but NEVER after. if i drink right after i eat, the liquid comes right back up my throat.