5 years post band

No.  When banding was new, it was thought that food should be retained above the band for around 20 minutes to stimulate th vagus nerve.  Studies (especially Australian research ) showed that in fact, if the band is correctly adjusted, a mouthful of food passes within a minute. If it stays above the band longer, it can cause damage and means the band is too tight.

So most doctors now  (there are always exceptions to everything!) say it is fine to drink with meals as long as you allow time for a mouthful to pass. If you drink too soon, it risks either backing up or helping food slide down too easily. But a mouthful, a pause, a drink is fine.  The only time is has not worked for me is when my  and was slightly tighter than it should be. It does not make me feel any greater hunger.

thank you very much.  Where did you have your band done?  I live outside of Chicago, IL.  

I was wandering if you would like to be friends.

I'm a Brit, living in the UK! Wales to be precise!  Happy to be friendly but being an OH friend is meaningless to me as I never even look at my friends list! Never really been sure why the friends list exists!! But, as I say, always happy to chat on the boards or by PM. 

Got my band 6/12/2006 and due to personal problems and catastrophic illness in my husband and then my mother, there was no time for me.  I lost 52# in the beginning and have regained probably 24#.  I have not even had time to think about it until now.  My husband passed nearly 3 years ago and I lost my mother almost 1 year ago after long hard battles for both.  I feel like I am just beginning to climb out of a deep hole.  I have made an appt with the surgeon in my town that does the gastric surgeries because I was having to travel about 20-25 miles for follow up or fills or the support meetings.  I have not had a check up in years, nor a fill nor a support meeting.  I am so happy to have my appt and transfer care, I will see the PA and I will hopefully get awesome advice as to a plan for starting fresh with my band.  I will be able to attend the support meetings and I am just so ready to get started.  I never got close to where I wanted to be and now is my chance to do this for me.  Wish me luck and if you have some advice or personal experiences to share, I welcome it all.

I'm so sorry for your losses.  That was a very trying time for you.  It's time now for you.  I wish you all the best in your attempt to have the great susses.  I'm sure all of us will be very willing to help support you.  I know I will.  That's something I'm think I need too.  Is going back to the support group.  Good luck.