Question:
I'd like to start a discussion about beverages during meals
Hey all -- I am 3 weeks post-op lap RNY, so I know that my eating habits are not yet set in stone, but I'm having an awfully hard time not drinking during meals. From what I understand, we are not supposed to drink during meals for two reasons: 1) the food goes through the pouch more quickly, making us hungrier; and 2) we therefore do not absorb as many nutrients. So here is my question: If I do drink during meals, and nonetheless do NOT eat more, AND take an ample amount of vitamins, what is the harm? I kind of have a feeling I'm simply looking for excuses (this is SO hard!) but I'd really like to know if there are others, long term, who drink (very little) during meals and have remained successful. And....any suggestions to break this habit would be appreciated. Thanks! — Tamara K. (posted on November 12, 2002)
November 12, 2002
I also struggled with this but it does get easier. You really will eat more
when you drink. Not at 3 weeks out but when the quantity of food you can
eat increases. Start now building good habits and you will have it easier
later on. When mealtime comes, put your water away. If you go out for a
meal don't order a drink. And wait a while after you eat to start drinking
again. I know it's hard, but it is one of the factors of success. And we
ALL want to be successful, right?
— ctyst
November 12, 2002
You forgot #3, food and water don't mix. LOL At least for me that is
true. If I eat and drink at the same time I puke. Simple as that. Now if
I sip some hot coffee afterwards it is not too bad, or if I am eating
something very dry I may sip little tiny sips to moisten it. Mostly I do
not eat enough at a time to really need to drink. My hardest time is
AFTER. My doc does not want us to drink for like 2 hours after eating.
Now lets calculate this, try eating 4 times a day, and not drinking for 2
hours after each meal.. hmmmm **8mths PO -150lbs, 30lbs from goal)
— smedley200
November 12, 2002
I never drink with my meals, no matter how thirsty I am, I set the timer
after I am done eating for 1 hour and don't drink anything until it goes
off, you will get full so much quicker if you don't drink with your meals,
it works, I have lost 147 pounds and almost 100 inches and I am at goal now
wearing size 3/4s and getting my tt/breast lift/reduction in less then 3
weeks.. DON"T DRINK WITH YOUR MEALS!!! you might not think you are
eating more but you will, and it will just slow down your weight loss!!!
— bikerchic
November 12, 2002
I drink when I eat. I drink a regular size drink with my small meal and do
fine.It's usually diet coke or water. I don't feel too full or too hungry.
My weight loss has been fine, my nutrient labs have been fine...life feels
normal for once. Just my take on things. -Kim open RNY 7/17/01 -140lbs
— KimBo36
November 12, 2002
I never eat and drink within 1 hour of each other. Not only for the 2
reasons you mentioned, but it could also make you sick. If I am eating
something and I am really thirsty and I will put a piece of ice in my month
for a little while. It really works. Try it.....BUT DON't EAT AND DRINK
AT THE SAME TIME !!! Sharon 310/210
— Sharon H.
November 12, 2002
Why not just follow directions, Tamara? Your question worries me because
it shows an unwillingness to let go of your old (bad) eating habits and to
learn to eat in a new, healthy, skinny, way. If you are unwilling to even
try to give up your drink with your meal (which might be a little
uncomfortable the first few times but becomes very simple very quickly)
perhaps you will also be unwilling to give up fatty foods and sugary foods
and fast foods. Perhaps you will also be unwilling to try and eat fresh
vegetables and protein. It sounds to me like you need to have a heart to
heart talk with yourself about your attitudes toward food and healthy
eating. If you are planning to challenge every rule you are in for a long
and difficult journey. It's sooo much easier just to do it the way your
doctor tells you to do it. My two cents. Good luck.
— Anne G.
November 12, 2002
Personally, I've been eating and drinking since day 1. I've never had a
problem. I'm 1 year out, at goal and my blood work is fine.
— Patty H.
November 12, 2002
I think we all try and test the rules. You ar enot alone in that. As for
me, once I had to stop this practice (when I had my surgery) I could see
that pre-surgery I was really used to washing down food with liquids. I
suggest you not try getting around this particular "rule" because
they REALLY want you to learn to chew your food. It also helps in your
learning your pouch size and limits. In my mind, I would think that liquid
with food with not allow that... even to this day- I have a very wierd time
with soup! Now that I am 2+ years out- I will occasionally have a sip of
water- and I mean sip, during a meal. Just to wet my tongue. I find that
when I do attempt more that "the meal has ended"... and I have no
more room for food. Sometimes I even feel barfy. I personally think it
makes what you have in your pouch swell- and gives you an uncomfortable
feeling. You are also GUESSING when you say "what IF I don't eat
more often"- well what IF you end up doing exactly the opposite? Why
test it? Believe me, it WAS hard- but it will get better.
— Karen R.
November 12, 2002
You know what, Anne? I almost included in my question, "NO
recriminations, please, I'm only asking for help," and didn't. I
figured I had worded the question in such a way -- including the "any
suggestions to break this habit would be appreciated" line -- that NO
ONE, who was actually interested in helping someone, could possibly come
down on me. But, wow, was I wrong. For your information, I searched my
heart for years. I thought about this surgery. I discussed it with my
doctors, family, friends, and concluded that this was the way to save my
life. I have given up sugar and fast food, fatty foods, caffeine, and
binging. And I have no doubt that this surgery was the best thing for me.
But this is hard enough (remember, I am 3 weeks out), and I do NOT
appreciate you questioning my will power and determination about everything
because I asked a question about something I'm having problems with. I am
SICK TO DEATH of people's holier than thou attitudes on this board, and I
am just about ready to revoke my membership. Its too bad, too, because 98%
of the people on here want to help -- but those 2% who can't seem to get
off of their soapboxes ruin it for everyone. Thanks for nothing, Anne.
— Tamara K.
November 12, 2002
P.S. Thanks, however, to everyone else that posted encouraging words,
ideas, suggestions, and explanations.
— Tamara K.
November 12, 2002
Hi Tamara:
Please do not leave the board because of this. The simple truth is that
some people eat and drink and do fine. They lose weight, probably much
more than me, and have no problems with it. If you are one of those, who
can tolerate both together, and do not overeat or get sick because of it,
go for it. Only you will know if it makes you sick to do so. Good luck.
I do not question anyone's commitment, who has actually endured this
surgery. God, it is tough. After all, people eat soup all of the time,
which is liquid and solids mixed. If you can handle it, it is your
choice.
Love Grace
— Grace H.
November 12, 2002
Tamara, I do not think Anne was out of line with her comments. You asked
for advise and hers was just one of the many you received-no need to attack
her. It sounded like she was genuinely concerned for you. Just take the
comments graciously and discard those you don't care for and embrace the
ones you do. There are lots of different opinions here and thats what
makes this such a wonderful place to come to as a resource for us during
the different phases of our journey. As you can see, some continue to
drink and still do well, but the doctors all unanimously advise us not to
do so. At 3 weeks out, it doesn't make much difference as you have enough
problems just trying to get in enough nutrition. It becomes more important
down the line. I had a hard time at first also, but eventually got used to
it. Every once in a while, depending on what I ate, I may have a sip or
two during the meal, tho!
— Cindy R.
November 12, 2002
To be honest with you, I drink with my meals as well. I feel somewhat the
same way you do...I get in my vitamins and I do not eat more than I did in
the first few months. I am a little over 6 months post-op and have lost
128 pounds, so I don't think my weightloss was affected by this.
— Kelly M.
November 12, 2002
I've never held back before, why start now... personally I drink about 1/4
of a diet pop with my meals... sometimes up to 1/2 a pop. Has my weight
loss hindered because of it? I will never know. NO ONE will know. We're
all different and our bodies are all different. If you feel comfortable
drinking - then DRINK. Personally I didn't have this surgery to gain
willpower. Hell if I had willpower, I wouldn't NEED this surgery. I'm
almost 10 months out and I'm in a size 4. I drink liquids during meals.
— Goldilauxx B.
November 12, 2002
Tamara in your defense, I dont even want to post on the board anymore. I
have only posted a few questions, but with each one most of the ppl (NOT
ALL) were negative, I mean negative to the point where they made me feel
like crap. I think ppl are on here looking for support, its sad when you
leave more depressed then you came on here. I have had ppl e-mail me and
tell me to ignore the negative comments. So Tamara I say HERE HERE to you.
— Schatzie1
November 12, 2002
Tamara, Don't worry about Anne's post. I also thought her post was rude
and uncalled for. I am 7 months post op and I eat and drink and I am down
over 100lbs and doing GREAT. Do not get me wrong I do not gulp drink while
I eat but I do take little sips here and there and like I said I am doing
great! Take care and do not let one bad person drive you away from a great
helpful place!
— Crystal D.
November 12, 2002
Tamara,
I found it extremely hard to follow the no drinking rule when I was a new
pre-op. It seemed like my mouth was dry all the time and as a result I
would have alittle trouble swallowing on occasion. My nutritionist
suggested I have a dixie cup of crushed ice next to me when I ate and if my
mouth was too dry to just suck on a couple of the ice chips. Later on she
said it was ok to have tiny sips of water with the meal (not 16 oz of
water like I did pre-op).
I think you'll find it gets easier to refrain from drinking with meals the
further post-op you get. Good luck.
— LLinderman
November 13, 2002
I came in to see what the others had to say about this since I am new post
op also. I have had to sip a bit with meals at times, but never alot. I
try to wait 1/2 hour before and after eating. I read all posts here. WOW,
let us remember that we are all emotional and this surgery is an experience
that taxes us pre and post op. There is estrogen running amuck in us women
and stress in both boys and girls dealing with this surgery. Take a
breath, and keep an open mind. I personally found that all posts here were
correct. I hope this Pouch rules for Dummies link helps all.
http://www.shelby.net/wizards/larger.htm
— Jenny_B
November 13, 2002
Hey! I just wanted to say that if I could drink with my meals, I would.
However, any time I have tried I have gotten sick. I guess I'm kind of
lucky! -51 pounds, 7 weeks post lap rny. <3 Chrissy
— Christine C.
November 16, 2002
My Doctor said that EVERY one of his patients that had gained weight was
drinking with their meals. Every one. There is not one patients he has that
has gained weight, that is not ever drinking with their meals. This is not
to say that the people who gained weight, do not have other bad habits as
well, but if you don't drink, you really don't have enough room in your
pouch to gain a lot of weight. I'm 3 weeks out as well, and not drinking
has been hard for me as well. But if it is one of the things that is needed
to really succeed, then I will do it. My suggestion is this. Do not drink
with your meals for at least another 2 months, no matter how hard it is,
just try to take your mind off it. When you are 3 months out, your new
habits will be established, and it should be easier!
— Kami C.
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