How do you deal with no drinks during eating?

[Guest BikiniBeachy]

I'm sure I will learn to deal, it's one of the many things I will have to change and I accepted that when I decided on surgery, but I wanted to chat about how ya'll dealt with this? Did you take it easy, was it hard, did you cheat?

I tried it out with my last meal, and the salsa was slightly spicy! It was a little difficult I must admit! I'm so used to just "washing it down" !

My doctor also said I must wait 45 minutes, what were you all told? Did you follow those rules?

Thanks :biggrin:

[kiz 1]

I was really worried about that too. We were told to wait 45 mins to an hour. One of the surgeons in the practice usually comes to our support group meetings to answer questions. Drinking during meals was brought up, and in his train of thought, he went from one hour, to 45 mins, to 30 mins. :biggrin:

I'm sticking with an hour for now. I'm drinking so much more Water than I ever did before, I'm just not that thirsty during meals. The benefit, is feeling full for longer period of time, although, now I've read that as you get tighter with fills, drinking with meals may be painful for some. The benefits, for me, far outweigh the inconvenience. The doctors have all said that occasional sips are fine, but not to overdo it.

[MistyD65 1]

When I eat out, I have them bring me a glass of Water, for "emergencies" such as extra hot salsa! But I put it out of reach so I don't drink from it out of habit. If you take a small sip, I don't think you are going to hurt anything. I usually try to wait an hour after eating before I drink.

And it IS weird. I'm so used to drinking with a meal. But I just don't do it anymore. At home, I don't fix anything to drink with my meals.

[judeloren 0]

this is the hardest thing for me.. but at the suprot group they showed an example of what happens if you drink while eating... even a small amount of Water will basicaly wash out the pouch and make the food go on through.. making it posible to eat more and not loose as quickly. I didn't think it was a big deal till i saw that...

now though if i try to drink and eat i usually throw it up lol yuck.

[shrinkinmom 1]

I haven't been banded yet but I did start practing no drinking while eating. One thing that I have notices is that it really allows you to taste your food. I have always had a problem eating to fat and not shewing enough....I think the no drinking rule may actually make me enjoy the small amount of food better. Just a thought.

[RestlessMonkey 7]

Actually as a native Texan and one who grew up on the border I can tell you the cure to hot salsa is salt! No kidding. Of course, not so good if you retain Water and are supposed to watch your salt, but it works.

My surgeon used to say no drinking during or 1 hour after but has since revised that to 15 minutes before, all during, and 15 minutes after. Meals are to take no longer than 30 minutes. I've tried eating without drinking and it isn't really bad. I agree with the poster who said you taste your food more!

[Wheetsin 714]

It was hard because during meals was when I drank the most. It took a good year or two before I really quit drinking with meals. Before then, I would still sip as needed because it never made a difference in the amount of food I ate. But I would most definitely know it if I had tried to drink too soon.

Now I don't drink during meals unless I'm choking or something. :biggrin: I just don't have the desire/thirst. I think it's something I had to wean away from.

[*susan* 1,709]

I am not allowed to drink during meals or for 30 minutes afterwards. I thought this would be tough, but the first time I tried to drink with a meal I got incredibly stuck and it was very, very painful. That pretty much cured me of that in a hurry.

A couple of times when I have ate something spicy and just felt like I really needed something, I sucked on an ice cube and it helped.

[MABurt 0]

I order a glass of ice with my meal instead of something to drink sucking on an ice cube not only helps with the dryness and cooling down but helps in slowing down the eating and prolongs the meal.:biggrin:

[scalingdown08 0]

When you are still on full liquids do you wait 30 minutes after eating Soup, yogurt etc. to drink?

[kiz 1]

When you are still on full liquids do you wait 30 minutes after eating Soup, yogurt etc. to drink?

Our instructions were to wait, but it was for one hour.

[RestlessMonkey 7]

I thought that, until you start regular foods, it is almost as important to stay hydrated as it is to get in the "mushie" foods and full liquids. Full liquids are going to just go through anyway...so withholding other lisuids probably isn't that important at that stage.

[sugrbear 1]

I have found that by not drinking with meals, I take more time to really enjoy my meals, and eat better and savor the flavors of those items. Before I would rush through eventhough I was considered the slowiest eater. I didn't take the time to enjoy the meal, and really eat the meal, It just went down fast.

The other positive thing has been by not drinking with meals, my bill when I eat out has dropped even lower with smaller meals and no drinks, which often cost a big chunk of the bill.

I don't miss drinks with meals, I don't bring them to the table, I don't order them, I don't even have them bring Water to the table. They often think this is strange, and will insist they can bring water, but I just explain, I prefer not to drink with my meals so I can enjoy my meal first, thank you. No one knows I had lapband excpt my husband and few band friends and that response works fine.

I think its something you have to set yourself up for, like anything else. tell yourself you can, and set the stage so you can succeed and you will. Good luck,,,

[pschmolle 0]

For me, during the meal isn't as bad as after the meal. My doc's rules are 90 minutes after a meal. I usually pop some sugar free lifesavers or gum to help cleanse my palette & add some saliva to my mouth.

[nycm00 0]

I am one of the one's that now that I have restriction I cannot drink during or after eating. If I try to drink too soon I have horrible pain and end up getting sick. It has been a hard adjustment for me. When I go out I have just recently stopped ordering drinks. I do get Water to sip in case I really need something while I am eating, but it's just a sip....or I'll be in trouble. I do miss coffee or Orange juice with my Breakfast, but I love the fact that I can tell that I have some collar bones under all this flesh for the first time in years.

Christine