Question:
Am I jeopardizing my surgery by drinking fluids right up until I start eating?

I have a hard time not drinking anything just before I start eating. I don't drink during the meal except for an occassional sip to wet my mouth but I feel the need to drink water right up until I put the first bite of food in my mouth.    — Dawn H. (posted on July 4, 2001)

July 4, 2001
I just read an article today recommended by an AMOS member (http://www.oregoncenter.com/article1.html) and it states several strategies to get the most from our surgeries. One of the tips was: drink ONLY until 15 min. before eating and do not drink again for 1 1/2 to 2 hours. Eating should be on a schedule, the article suggests 3 meals a day, spaced 5 hrs. apart. I "think" this was for 6 mo.+ post ops. D. Renfro open rny 2/16/01, -85#
   — Doris R.

July 4, 2001
According to my nutritionist, you should be fully hydrated 10 minutes before your meal. You should not drink any closer to the meal because you will feel full and not want to eat, thus not taking in necessary nutrients. You should not drink with your meal because you are pushing the food through, thus enabling yourself to eat more. For that same reason, you shouldn't drink until one full hour after you've eaten. Your question asked if it would compromise your surgery. I'd have to say that, in fact, no, you will not stretch your pouch or cause any medical problems. You may, however, be unable to eat.
   — Jeannet

July 4, 2001
I was told not to drink 30 minutes before or after you eat. Reason: your food gets washed through the pouch & it does not have time for the nutrients to get absorbed into your system. IF you're "dying" to have something to drink, keep ice chips in your glass instead of liquid. Gosh, we all have something different.
   — Betty Todd

July 4, 2001
I agree we need to be well hydrated before we eat. Helps us not bite/sip/bite/sip, which turns the food into soup, which means it takes a LOT Of food before it hits the Off Switch. We were told to drink up til the first bite, however. I still do that, still holding my ideal wt after 7 yrs. I am like you, generally just keeping my mouth moist while eating, and not for 30 min after. I don't see that it changes my volume if I do or do not drink right before. I frequently drink a protein drink before meals, though, in order to take the edge off my appetite so I don't eat too much or too fast. I'm not worried about getting in enough calories. I'm not gonna burn what I do take on board, so I'm not in ANY hurry to take more of 'em.
   — vitalady

July 5, 2001
I have no problems with drinking up until my meal. It seems to flow right through my stomach pouch and I'm able to eat my 'normal' meal each time. The things which have more of an effect on how much I can eat tend to be how relaxed or uptight I am while eating, and the amount of chewing I do, and the texture of the food (needs to be moistened well).
   — Cindy H.