Question:
why is drinking not OK BEFORE meals?

I understand why drinking is not allowed after a meal as it would push your food straight into your intestines, but why not after? From what I understand, liguid moves through a pouch in less than 5 minutes. Why can I sip water before a meal out when everyone else is getting their drinks, and then take a pause at the begining of the meal? Thanks - just trying to get all of those questions in pre-op.    — Marilyn M. (posted on September 6, 2000)

September 6, 2000
That is exactly what works for me. I can drink liquids right up until I start eating, without any problems. The liquids go right through my pouch without filling me up at all. For some people, it make take longer for the liquids to pass through their pouch, especially when they are recent post-ops, but I don't have to wait after drinking at all. In fact, I will purposely drink a good amount of water or tea before a meal so I don't get parched while I am eating. Hope this helps.
   — Lynn K.

September 7, 2000
It might possibly be that drinking liquids will temporarily make you feel full, or less hungry. So drinking right before you eat may make you eat less than you need to. For example, if I go out to a restaurant I usually order iced tea, drink about half a glass while waiting for my food, and when my food comes I'm not very hungry and will only eat a few bites even if I was really hungry when I got there. But when I am eating at home, I usually don't drink before I eat and can eat more than I would at a restaurant. Also even though liquid moves through your pouch quicker than food, some liquid will remain in your pouch for a while and if you introduce certain foods while liquid is in your pouch it will make you feel full faster...again making you eat less than you probably should.
   — M. M.