fluids..

Hi everyone.. I am just curious, does every one have to follow the fluid rule? (no fluids 1 hour before eating and 1 hour after) I am having a real problem getting enough fluid in, but with this rule and 3 meals a day which take 30-40 minutes to eat, that is 7-8 hours that I can't have fluid. I am just at a loss how to get enough. I was reading in the posts that many have a snack in their meal plan. Does the "no fluid" rule mean snacks too? Hmmm...very confused here and bordering on dehydration. Debbie Confused and still Shy

mmmmmmmmmmm .. I am not drinking with meals, but I am not always within the 1/2 hr and 1 hour rule. Counting my protein drinks, I do manage to get my 64 oz of fluids in per day. I have found that I don't have to 'sip' such small quantities of water any more, so I am able to drink more and more often. Hugs, Mo

Hello! I don't drink 15 minutes before meals and 1 hour after meals. I have 3 meals daily and NO SNACKS. It was easier for me to get my water in after my 5th week. I sip, sip, sip all the time. I always have my insulated sports bottle with me. It even has a strap like a purse. I take it everywhere I go. Now it is a breeze. I usually drink 70 - 80+ oz per day now. (I have been told NOT to count the water in my protein, so I do not) I couldn't imagine doing that a few weeks ago. It really does get easier with just a little time. Good luck. RNY - 03/01/04 (285)258/216/130 -42 pounds since surgery!

I have to follow a 30 - 20 - 30 rule. No water 30 minutes before and after and 20 minutes to eat. No snacks. I had a heck of a time in the beginning and still have days that I don't get enough in because I just get busy, but most days I get in at least 80 ounces. Connie

As always, everyone's surgeon/team is different. Mine said no fluids 15-30 minutes prior to eating and 30 minutes after. However at our support group meeting, many were saying that is just not realistic. The response was this: if you drink too soon before or after you may wash the food through faster than you should be and could easily increase how many calories you take in per day because you get hungrier. However, if you find that you aren't getting hungry all the time, and can stick to the same 3 meals at 4 ounces with fluids closer to mealtime, then its not an issue. So it was a response that each person has to tailor to themselves. I think early on when on pouches are in their infancy, there is a much bigger fear of overextending the pouch with food and liquid together and could possibly hurt the pouch. However, at about 8 weeks, the pouch is fully healed and the worst you can do is make yourself heave or dump. Lissa

By trial and error, with my pouch I have found that drinking up to about 10 minutes before a meal does not seem to affect how much I eat or how long I stay full. It runs on through the pouch before I eat. I always wait at least 30 min after eating, longer if I am not dying of thirst before drinking, because if I wash the food through too quickly I will get hungry sooner. Also, depending on what and how much I ate, the water may not have any place to go and may come back up! I used to get ALL my fluids at mealtime, so when I sit down to eat, I am always ready to drink, so this is hard for me too. I try to drink as I am fixing dinner to reduce this and get the fluids in. I figure you have to choose the lesser of the evils, and dehydration is not good for us! So I compromise on the Before meal drinking rather than the After meal drinking. This is NOT advice--just my individual rationalization! Joy -33 lbs

Thank you for all your input on fluids. I am going to lessen my time abit, maybe try 30 minutes instead of a hour. I am very weak and feel just crappy all the time, not even able to walk around the yard yet and its been 4 weeks. I am sure it has alot to do with fluid intake.. Thanks Again! Debbie

1 hour before and 1 hour after seems way to long to me. I had big problems with dehydration because of that and just being overall afraid of drinking too much at a time and such. It really does get better after week 5. I usually drink 15-30 minutes before - then eat - then drink 15-30 minutes after (according to how full my pouch feels) just keep sipping away! It will get better and sometimes I just wet my mouth when I am eating just to have the feeling! Just my own quirky thing though Best Wishes Elizabeth M Down 42!!!! wooo hooo!