Why No Liquid With Meals?

[WLJourneyJ 89]

Curious if it's hard to do?

[cookies 56]

I find it hard to do, myself. I was a person that would drink at least one or two glasses of Water with all my meals, so this is something new. I do find that not drinking with meals does slow my eating down, though.

I have to make sure my Water glass isn't on the table next to me or I'll mindlessly take a sip.

[WLJourneyJ 89]

What is the reasoning why? Fills up too fast ?

[Lissa 2,631]

Water dilutes the food in your sleeve and pushes it through faster, making it easy to eat more than you should. You want your Protein to stay in your sleeve so that you don't get hungry quickly and mindlessly snack.

[Nate 292]

I think the reason is that our stomachs are so small now that if we drink while eating that will fill us up sooner, reducing the amount of real food we get into our system. That reduces the amount of protien and nutrients we're getting which is already low. Thats just my hypothesis, I could be wrong. It could also be that they don't want us stretching our stomachs and putting stress on the suture lines.

[MinaT 669]

Well, the longer just the food stays in your stomach, the longer you will remain full. Also, the better the food will be digested in the belly before it travels on.

If you eat and drink Water, it can push the food through much faster, which means less nutrition and the longer the food stays in your belly, the more satiated you will be.

This is how it was explained to me.

Best bet is to start practicing it long before surgery.

I am a choker. I used to eat and choke a lot so I always had Water there. You know what happened when I took away my water? I spent more time focusing on what I was putting in my mouth, and chewing my food thoroughly so I didn't choke.

I was a quick eater. All people are different, but eating was never really enjoyable to me. I liked to eat and get it over with, so I woofed down the food fast and drank and got up and started dishes while others were still eating, because if I didn't hurry and stand and do dishes, I would get a tummy ache. I learned during my pre-approval phase to chew my food when I took away my water. This way I didn't choke.

[Mr_Worm 129]

I still sip while eating doesn't really bother me. But yes, its an issue of stomach space

[mona777 12]

I CAN'T EAT AND DRINK AT THE SAME TIME EVEN IF I WANTED TO. ITS A PAINFUL STUCK FEELING SO I JUST DON'T DO IT. I'M GETTING USED TO EATING FIRST AND WAITING AROUND 45MIN THEN DRINKING. I WAS SLEEVED 12/20/11

[MyGastricSleeveLife 180]

I haven't found it hard at home, because I just don't have my water bottle or anything to drink near me at mealtime. However, last night we went out to eat for the first time since surgery and it seemed very odd not to have Water at the table at the restaurant. It definitely takes some time to get used to.

[Lissa 2,631]

Michelle, I always order a glass of Water when I'm out. I'll drink water until the food comes, then wait a few minutes before I start eating since the food usually needs to cool anyway. No one notices because I'll either ask for a to go box and take my time dividing up the meal, or I'll start pushing my food around my plate. By the time I'm ready to eat my little bit of food, most of them are seriously into their meals anyway.

[mctaverne 1]

One of the main reasons you aren't supposed to drink and eat at the same time, is what is called 'flushing.' It only took one time for me, and I stopped doing it. It is amazing how fast your food can go through you. I also was a huge drinker during dinner, but as I said, it only takes one time for the food to flush out, and I didn't drink again. You can take small sips, if necessary, but that is it.