about NOT drinking with meals ...

This was mentioned on my other thread as an important factor in success [thanks Connie]. How soon BEFORE a meal do you STOP drinking? How long AFTER a meal do you wait to START drinking? How much fluids do you get in a day? How long does it take you to drink 32 ounces? xosm

I've heard many different answers to this question...it really depends on your Dr. and program, although it's all pretty similar. I was told to stop drinking 15 minutes prior to eating and 1 hour after. I still stick to this pretty closely. I may take a sip if I had something really spicy, just to "wet my whistle" or suck on an icecube, but that's it. The whole idea of it is to, of course, not stretch the pouch, and not to push food thru too quickly...stay satisfied longer. And I can tell you if you are early out, you don't even want to try it! It would hurt! I was told to get in 64 oz. of fluids (non-carbonated, no-caffeine) a day, but that was impossible the first month, at least for me. I was lucky to get in 30-40, try as I may. In the beginning, it takes quite a while to sip down 32 oz. The best thing to do is keep liquids by you at all times....even in your hand if you are sitting watching tv...and take a sip whenever you can. Don't make yourself uncomfortable, but be conscious of drinking often. Best of luck! Theresa

Thanks, Theresa. I can drink 32 ounces of liquid really quickly and fluids rarely make me feel uncomfortable [unless I drink too soon after eating] but I do remember early out when it was hard to get in 32 ounces a day, let alone in a sitting. Do you drink protein shakes? xosm

OK, I'll play--- How soon BEFORE a meal do you STOP drinking? ***It depends, sometimes I "water load"---that is, drink a lot of liquid just before eating. I do that if I'm catching up on water. The "pouch rules for dummies" says tha****er loading helps you get full with food quicker. I'm not sure I believe that, haven''t noticed that much difference. I do believe with early postops, it's important to wait 30 minutes after drinking to eat. How long AFTER a meal do you wait to START drinking? ***To me, this is more important than pre-meal drinking: I always wait 60-90 minutes after I finish eating to drink. It keeps me full longer. How much fluids do you get in a day? ***I always get 70-100 oz. a day. How long does it take you to drink 32 ounces? ***I can drink that much in a very short time, 5-10 minutes, since I'm 3 years, 5 months out. Hugs, Connie -147#

You really shouldn't play with me, you know, I'm sort of a cheater on the wrong side of my surgery date If I am remembering right, the pouch rules say tha****er loading should stop 15 minutes prior to eating. I don't usually pay particular attention to this rule, I am wondering what difference it would make? I had been waiting a half an hour to about 40 minutes to drink. Now I am going to try going the full hour. Sometimes I think the longer I wait, the easier it goes out of my mind and I get involved in something and never bother to go get myself a drink when the time comes. Then if I just always have something in front of me, it's just a habit to start drinking it. I guess I have to figure out a balance and really put in a concentrated effort to time myself before and after. I love hearing that you can drink 32 ounces that quickly, I never actually timed myself [I am going to do it today with my first shake], but I am sure I drink it all in under a half an hour, and I wondered if that was, uh, 'normal.'

This is the portion of the pouch rules on water loading: "4. No liquids for 1 ½ hours to 2 hours after each meal. 5. After 1 ½ to 2 hours, begin sipping water and over the next three hours slowly increase water intake. 6. 3 hours after last meal, begin drinking LOTS of water/fluids. 7. 15 minutes before the next meal, drink as much as possible as fast as possible. This is called "water loading." IF YOU HAVEN'T BEEN DRINKING OVER THE LAST FEW HOURS, THIS 'WATER LOADING' WILL NOT WORK. 8. You can water load at any time 2-3 hours before your next meal if you get hungry, which will cause a strong feeling of fullness." So the 15 minutes immediately preceding the meal you really drink fast, then start eating. I'd be interested if anybody else uses this technique and to what effect. Connie

My surgeon recommends the 30/30 rule~I prefer to wait 60min after eating before I drink b/c I've found for me it really makes a difference and I feel much fuller way longer. I take in 100oz of water daily. I still don't chug water, but I guess I could drink 32oz over 1/2 hr comfortably. Tracy B

Thanks, I can't remember if my surgeon said anything specific about times - I just know he said don't drink while eating. I find a lot of stuff I'm just better off researching myself. I don't chug water, but I have a big WW cup with a fat straw that makes it easy to drink a steady amount smoothly. I'm starting my 32 ounces now, it's 8:57 a.m. xosm

My surgeon has the 30/30 rule. Stop 30 minutes before eating and wait 30 minutes after to start back drinking. But, I, like Tracy, have found that waiting 1 hour to start drinking after a meal keeps me fuller for longer and less likely to want to graze. Melissa

I am implementing the 1 hour post meals today. Thanks.