What is the worst thing that can happen if i drink w/ my meal?

Other than not feeling full long enough, can drinking cause the food to not be absorbed? I am struggling to get enough food in so I feel that drinking right now is ok to ensure I get all my protein in. can someone tell me if i am wrong in doing this? thanks. yes i know they say not to drink with meals but if it helps get more food in, then that should be ok right?

From what I understand, drinking with meals also would cause the food to go through your intestines more quickly (if it's mushy) and as such, it may increase the malabsorption. Bottom line, don't drink with your food.

in addition to what Amy said No.   Don't start drinking with your meals. If you drink while you eat, your food washes out of your stomach much more faster... and will not feel very full after also you'll be putting yourself in danger for long term post op. You'll start to eat more in one sitting , AND  you'll get hungry alot sooner! Drinking with meals also puts you at risk with snacking and grazing. which then leads to poor dieting and food choices and you most likely will overeat.  you'll have no self control with portion sizes. AND then see a weight gain. I've seen and read this happening on the boards. plus my girlfriend who is about 5 1/2 years post op....  drinks while eating and she gained 30 lbs back because she makes the wrong food choices and snacks a lot.... she gets hungry faster. Yes, it's very hard for some people to avoid drinking with meals, I'm sure that your surgeon went over the rules with you before you had surgery. So you know you shouldn't drink with your meals. :-) Following the rules of the WLS ..... is a VERY critical key to long-term success! Once you practice not drinking with meals ... and work at it every single day ....  it will became a habit  a habit then turns into a behavioral change ......  then it becomes a lifestyle change. So keep on practicing not drinking with meals.... just like anything else ..........it does get a lot easier hang in there  hugss Lizzy

You probably should have started this practice prior to surgey: don't drink for 30 minutes before or after a meal. Only exception would be a couple of small sips to rinse your mouth.

Hi Nicole, I agree with the above posts, do not start drinking with your meals..I know that it can be difficult.  Prior to having the surgery I also had my drink with my meal and it has been a VERY BIG ADJUSTMENT for me, so I know how you feel, but I was told that drinking and eating at the same time will cause you to stretch your pouch, which then allows you to eat more food, which then causes you to gain weight...Having said that We have worked to hard to get this far to mess it up, right???  I know I have. I wait the 1/2 hour after eating and then I drink...it really is not that long.  Karen Schworm

You say that drinking with your meal helps you get your protien "in".  The thing is, drinking with your meal makes the food wash out of your pouch, so even if you are eating the protien, you're washing it right out before it can be absorbed anyway.   Don't do it...

Absorption does not occur in your pouch. It occurs in your intestines. It will NOT be "washed" out. Drinking and eating together may lead to dumping syndrome in some people. In addition, with a small pouch, we recommend not eating and drinking together so that you are able to take adequate food intake.

Absorption does not occur in your pouch. It occurs in your intestines. It will NOT be "washed" out. Drinking and eating together may lead to dumping syndrome in some people. In addition, with a small pouch, we recommend not eating and drinking together so that you are able to take adequate food intake.