I can't seem to get used to NOT drinking with my meals!

[BethinPA 305]

I do exactly what Tess does. My family teases me about my need for "moist meat", but it really does make a difference! It also gets easier to eat dryer foods the further out you get from the surgery.

[cubbies76 132]

It's is one thing I've been confused on. I've read that doing so will cause you to be full and I've also read that it can cause dumping problems because it washes the food out of your stomach. So which one is true or are both true? I find I don't drink a lot before a meal anymore. Back when I was drinking sodas I'd go through a few diet cokes before and during a meal, partly with the help of a straw and partly because they tasted good. But now that I'm off carbonated beverages, I find I don't even really touch my Water at a restaurant.

[jensjoy28 351]

It's is one thing I've been confused on. I've read that doing so will cause you to be full and I've also read that it can cause dumping problems because it washes the food out of your stomach. So which one is true or are both true? I find I don't drink a lot before a meal anymore. Back when I was drinking sodas I'd go through a few diet cokes before and during a meal' date=' partly with the help of a straw and partly because they tasted good. But now that I'm off carbonated beverages, I find I don't even really touch my Water at a restaurant.[/quote']

It is both...although "dumping" comes about for different reasons (what you've eaten, specifically) than liquid intake with food. The issue besides potential physical discomfort from drinking w meals is that when we drink the liquid helps the digestion of the food, and they want us to stay satiated for as long as possible, so that means no helping our stomach out.

[cindymg 629]

I used to sneak a few sips, but I now find that I feel more full longer if I don't have a drink until at least 30 minutes after I eat. The feeling of "I need something to drink NOW" passes after 5-10 minutes. I set my phone alarm for 30 minutes, and by the time it goes off I find the thirst has passed. Sometimes I forget to drink even after the alarm had gone off. Try it!

[sheilarae 84]

My dr told me a couple tiny sips with meals is ok. I don't tho...doesn't seem to bother but I am thirsty all the time. Before surgery I drank 12 cups of Water a day. No I'm not diabetic just thirsty.

[Vegasme 30]

Why is it we can't drink with meals ??

[hollyoosa 25]

Why is it we can't drink with meals ??

Several reasons: the liquid triggers the pyloric valve which makes your stomach empty faster thus making room for more food, it helps digest hard Protein faster thus defeating the point if the sleeve and gradually over time it can stretch the stomach a bit. Best example I can think if is that old science experiment of what can I put in this jar? Fill the jar to the top with rocks and it is full, except you can still add sand, after the sand reaches the top the jar is full, except you can still add Water....

Scary stuff when you have gone though major surgery to have a tiny tummy that fills up fast.

I had surgery April 2011 and I can tell ya drinking with meals is the key to slowing down your loss or even gaining. I have a few times over the years done it to be able to eat more or to look "normal" at a Restaurant in the beginning. It's a slippery slope