Hello, this is my first thread. I am Italian and got banded yesterday (12/4/2009) in Rome, Italy. Before deciding to do the surgery I was concerned that I wouldn't be able to eat like a normal person ever again but my surgeon told me that this is not true. Eventually, he told me, I will be able to eat normally but certainly not like my old self (that was abnormal, to say the least). One thing bothers me though: the fact that drinks (I am talking about water) are not allowed while eating. Now, normal people drink while eating, right? So why can't I? Is it because drinking eases the passage of food trough the sleeve thereby making the band ineffective (or less effective) or because it makes you feel sick (vomiting, reflux etc.)? I'd be happy to hear about your experience on this point. Thank you.

It is because you want the food to sit in you pouch longer so you feel full, also for some with a lot of restriction it will make them pb. Drinking washes the food through to quickly. It is really not a big deal you get used to not drinking with meals very fast. Good luck in your journey!

I'm 2 1/2 months post-op and it still drives me crazy that I can't drink with my meals! I count the minutes until I can take a drink!

Good luck with your band. I know you'll do great! :w00t:

My band has 7.5 cc in a 10cc band and I can tell you that I physically can no longer drink with meals because there is no place for it to go. When your pouch is full that water sits on the top and ends up comming right back up. Also, it is painful so eventually you will have no desire to drink while you eat.

My band has 7.5 cc in a 10cc band and I can tell you that I physically can no longer drink with meals because there is no place for it to go. When your pouch is full that water sits on the top and ends up comming right back up. Also, it is painful so eventually you will have no desire to drink while you eat.

Oh, how I can't wait to get to that point! I still haven't had a fill because they think I'm doing too good on my own (I don't even want to get into this because it really p*sses me off :w00t:), so when I finally have some restriction, I'm going to be one happy bandster. Until then, I'm dying for a drink with every bite I take!

It is just a habit that you have to change. It is best to start out following the rules so it gets easier for you as time goes by. I have never had even one drink while I was eating. You just have to think differently. This whole thing is about chnaging the way we think about food and eating it. You can do it!

Thanks to all of you for your kind advice and the warm encouragement. I am afraid this water/eating thing is going to be a major issue for me, but I am confident that I will get over it eventually. Anyway I also strongly believe in the possibility of customizing the diet, making it your own creation, discovering your own rules and make them work for your unique self. This means that I'll try to bend the rules as far as possible, especially if this means becoming freer and living a more normal life, which is my primary goal.

I thought I would never be able to do that part well enough. I am doing fine with it. I was someone who would not eat if I did not have a drink. Once at a restaurant I let my meal go cold and untouched b/c the server was so slow in bringing the drinks. I made them take it off the bill BTW. That's how bad my drink/eat/drink habit was. They told me it is MOST important to wait the 1/2 hour after. So, I drink before (Not ideal I know) and then wait until after. I had a problem at Applebee's yesterday with waiting, but had no PBing, just was hungry quickly b/c I let it wash down. I can't have the drink in front of me or I cave or do it w/o thinking. It was that 'mindless' eating that got me to almost 300 lbs. So, I keep the liquid off the table 99% of the time. Good LUCK.