Confused About Drinking Clear Liquids, Full Liquids, And Water?

[Brad P 8]

The issue of drinking Water before or after a meal, does that still matter with clear and full liquids?

My manual says.......

In the KEY POINTS TO KNOW section

No drinking and eating at the same time..... allow 15-20 minutes pre-meal to stop sipping liquids. Wait 45-90 minutes after a meal to resume liquids. total Water intake goal is to be 64 oz daily.

It doesn't bring this point up again until the Puree / Blended food section (stage 3) (transition from all liquids to puree / blended foods)

My dietitian wanted me to start out on full liquids, but after reading here on LBT and my manual (surgeon) I decided to go with the more conservative approach, Clear Liquids. I introduced skim milk and powders?utm_source=BariatricPal&utm_medium=Affiliate&utm_campaign=CommentLink" target="_ad" data-id="1" >unjury Protein powder yesterday afternoon when I was definitively feeling hungry (not head hunger) But I have been waiting before and after those (meals) shakes to drink water. Do I need to do that? The only reason I can think and why I have been doing that is because I thought I should leave the shake in my stomach and not flush it out prematurely with the water??? Reading it makes me think that is only important for foods (purees, soft,or solid) and not clear and full liquids.?

Thank you in advance, I don't know what I would do without you guys!!!

[Ladybug28 73]

I'm not much help Brad because I've wondered the same thing. I thought just like you to leave it there for a while before drinking but I have to wonder since its all liquid isn't it going right through?? Someone will give us their wisdom on here soon, I'm sure. Hope the recovery is going well for you! Deb

[NWgirl 574]

my dietician said the first couple stages that the drinking doesn't really matter, as you are already drinking liquids for meals so there is nothing to wash away. She said when I start solids, then is the time to actually follow the rules.

[Ladybug28 73]

That's what I was thinking.....thx Steph!

[Brad P 8]

I just want to make sure everyone understands that I just want everyone's opinion. I don't want people to think that they have to be scared to express how they would or did deal with this problem.

I'm finding out that there seams to be a lot of different view points with the professionals? At least I know there are some MAJOR differences with my surgeon/ hospital program and my dietitian. The dietitian from my hospital was not covered by my insurance. I was looking at her daily diet plan for the full liquid stage and it has a total of 66 oz's a day, milk (1%), yogurt, and chicken broth. With the surgeon's daily instructions to be... 4 oz's every 3 hours throughout the day. So far today I have had 20 oz's and I'm worried that I shouldn't have 4 more oz's at 11:00 pm because its too late?

Hearing everyone's journey through these first two weeks would be very helpful to me I think. I'm not asking who is right or wrong (my dietitian/ surgeon) ( or your dietitian/ surgeon) just need some real life lap band people's experience.

[Mck xx 15]

The point of avoiding drinking during or around meals is to help the food sit on top of the band where its supposed to for a while. Theres no reason not to drink around 'meals' when on liquids, but getting into the habit now can't hurt anything either.