Anyone in SC who has DR. Byrne - Can U Answer this for me?

I am four weeks out and I am noticing a wide range of restrictions and allowances from so many doctors and nutritionists from all over. If you have Dr. Byrne or MUSC patient, do you know how long I should wait from when I DRINK something until I can eat? I have been told by one NUT at MUSC to wait one hour from the time I eat until I can drink, and told by the other NUT at MUSC a half-hour. Hmmmm. My question is reversed. If I have a glass of water, how long until I can eat? Thanks lap-banders!

HEY GAIL, DID YOU OR DID YOU NOT LOVE DR. BYRNE. AT FIRST I THOUGHT HE WAS A LITTLE GRUFF, I THINK TO SCARE THE S_ _ T OUT OF YOU TO SEE WHO WAS REALLY SERIOUS ABOUT THE SURGERY. CONGRATULATIONS ON HAVING THE SURGERY. YOU WON'T REGRETE IT, I PROMISE. AT FIRST IT'S REALLY HARD ADJUSTING TO THE CHANGES. YOU'LL WANT TO TRY SOMETHING YOU KNOW YOU SHOULDN'T HAVE, DON'T, YOU'LL ONLY MAKE YOU'RE SELF FEEL LIKE CRAP. DR. BYRNE DID MY SURGERY LAST YEAR ON OCT 13th AND WONDER WHY I DIDN'T HAVE IT SOONER. I FOUND I DIDN'T GET MUCH HELP OUT OF THE NUTS AT MUSC, IN FACT ON MY FIRST FEW FOLLOW UP VISITS I NEVER EVEN SAW ONE. SO, I HAVEN'T BEEN BACK TO SEE HIM OR THEM SINCE FEB. OF THIS YEAR. I'VE BEEN FOLLOWING UP W/ MY PERSONAL PCP AND THE NUTS AT THE HOSP I WORK WITH. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME ANYTIME YOU WANT W/ ANY QUESTIONS AND/OR CONCERNS WHILE YOU'RE ON THIS GREAT JOURNEY. NOW THAT I'VE MADE YOU CRAZY, AN ANSWER TO YOUR QUESTION, THE GENERAL RULE OF THUMB IS TO STOP AND START DRINKING 1/2 - 1 HOUR BEFORE AND AFTER MEALS. THE REASONING BEHIND THIS? 1) DON'T DRINK BEFORE MEALS SO YOU HAVE MORE ROOM TO FILL UP W/ YOUR PROTEIN AND VEGGIES. 2) DON'T DRINK FOR 1/2 - 1 HOUR AFTER MEALS SO THE FLUID YOU DRINK DOESN'T WASH DOWN THE PROTEIN YOU HAVE IN YOUR STOMACH AND YOU STAY FULLER LONGER, THUS NOT EATING AS MUCH. HAVE I CONFUSED YOU? NOW THAT YOU'RE FOUR WEEKS OUT YOU SHOULD BE EATING "REAL FOOD" AND YOU SOULD BE NOTICING THAT YOU'RE ABLE TO DRINK MORE. DON'T WORRY IF YOU'RE NOT GETTING IN THE TOTAL AMT OF FLUID THEY SUGGEST, YOU'LL WORK UP TO THAT AND MORE. THERE ARE DAYS I DRINK ABOUT 100oz AND OTHER DAYS ONLY 16oz. JUST REMEMBER TO KEEP DRINKING SO YOU DON'T GET DEHYDRATED. HOPE THIS HELPS, AND LET ME KNOW IF YOU HAVE ANY OTHER QUESTIONS. HERE'S MY E-MAIL ADDRESS: [email protected] DONNA, SFY