What's the worst that can happen?

I am 1 week Post-Op and I have moved on to Mashed Potatoes, Pastina, and Creamed Spinach. I get really thirsty when I eat and I know I am supposed to wait 30 minutes but I would like to know - What's the worst that can happen if I had a few sips of water while I ate?

 Generally, one of two things will happen: 

- if there's too much food in your stomach, the water will come back up (along with some of your food, possibly)

- the water will wash some or all of the food out of your stomach, leaving you to feel hungry again sooner rather than later.

Thanks for the response. Doesn't seem like a big risk for me now but I will proceed with caution!

You want to avoid vomiting as much as possible in general, but ESPECIALLY early on. 

You've got a helluva post-op diet! On MY second week out, I only got to have shakes, broth, jello and cream of chicken soup! 

Yeah vomiting wouldn't be good. My diet this week includes: Yogurt, Creamed Spinach, Scrambled Eggs (Runny), Pastina, Watermelon, Creamed Soups, Mashed Potatoes, and Oatmeal.

 At least you've got a nice variety of choices, so you shouldn't get bored too quickly.

As Bette says! But you are going to have to learn not to drink with food as it really does matter once you are on solids - so why not start now?

Kate

Giving up water with food was so much harder for me than I thought it would be.  I now watch the clock cause my doc says an hour after your food.  But one helpful thing I do sometimes when I am at home.  Rinse water (like gargling) through your mouth but don't swallow, spit.  It helps the thirst by moistening the mouth.  Kinda gross, but it helps the transitioning to no water.

What Bette said is accurate but you really should NOT drink while eating.  The point of having the band is to keep food in your smaller stomach longer so you feel full longer.   You don't want to lose that benefit by pushing the food through your pouch faster.  The fullness of your pouch also signals the brain that you're full and the body requires 20 minutes to get that message.  If you're pushing the food through faster then your brain won't get the signal and you'll just create unnecessary hunger.

This is especially critical at the stage you're in becuase your already eating primarily slider foods ( that go through the band faster than solids), and you don't have much restriction yet.

If you must drink, do it before you start eating.  At a restaurant I tend to drink up to the point of when I start eating and then I wait for 30 minutes.

This is one of many band rules that you'll need to learn to adhere to for optimal WL results.  You can do it!

Best~
Lisa O.

Be really careful during the healing stage, especially. It paves the road for the future. If you start regurgitating right now, your esophagus is at risk for dilating. And, believe me, that's not something you want to happen. 

Keep following the rules and heal up! Hope it's speedy and that everything goes well for you.