Question:
LIQUIDS AFTER MEALS

I AM HAVING A HARD TIME WITH DRINKING MY LIQUIDS 30 MINS AFTER I EAT. I HAD THE LAPBAND PROCEDURE 7/26/07 AND STILL FIND IT HARD TO WAIT. I HAVE TRIED BEING BUSY FOR THE HALF HOUR BUT IT SEEMS I NEED WATER TO WASH DOWN MY MEAL EVEN IF ITS A SMOOTHIE! AM I ALONE AND ANY SUGGESTIONS.    — MZ DEAN (posted on August 20, 2007)

August 20, 2007
I JUST GET BUSY TO KEEP MY MIND OFF OF IT. I HAVE TO WAIT 1 HOUR JUST TELL YOUR SELF THIS IS THE WAY IT IS AND DON'T WATCH THE CLOCK. BUT IT REALLY DON'T BOTHER ME. OR MAYBE YOU COULD TAKE ONE LITTLE SIP OR PUT A PIECE OF ICE IN YOUR MOUTH BUT THAT'S IT.
   — SHARON P.

August 20, 2007
Sheryl...it was the hardest thing for me to do, too. I had (for years and years) issues with my esphogus and stomach and would have to have water around me at all times to wash down whatever it was I was choking on at any given moment. I went through a 6 month education class prior to LAP RNY on 2/15/07 and here are some of the things I did. I took small steps at first. I would allow myself a few drinks, then sips. Then I wouldn't touch it but it would be there in sight for comfort (I would panic if I couldn't see it close to me); after I got used to that, I put it out of reach while eating a meal (at work, in the kitchenette, at home in the kitchen around the corner from the dining table). After that, it was completely out of sight. For me it was a retraining of the brain. I had almost choked to death on many occasion and was scared to death not to have the water with me, it was a security blanket. Now. No problem at all....do what you can to do what you need to do to break yourself of the habit - take small steps if necessary and won't cause any damage. If you have to go cold turkey - start around step 3-4 and go for it. I understand your frustration and need.
   — jammerz

August 20, 2007
I have to wait an hour also.Just keep trying,it was easy for me because I never drank with my meals.I know it is hard but I know you can do it.Sandy Hanson
   — Sandy Hanson

August 20, 2007
Eventually, it will become a habit. Hang in there. I find that drinking water with my meals causes me to "back up" and sometimes brings the food back up, so drinking with my meals doesn't wash any food down, it causes discomfort. If you feel like your food needs washing down, maybe you need to slow down a bit and give the food more time to go down, that's part of how the band works for us anyway. Hang in there, it gets easier and soon you won't feel the need for the fluids with your meal. Much of that is psychological and conditioning. Even though we've had the surgery, we still need to reprogram our old habits and change them and develop new ones. My biggest problem right now is making sure I take in enough water! I should start setting a timer to remind me to drink a glass of water now and then, otherwise, I forget! Good luck to you.
   — Debra R.

August 21, 2007
I take a TINY sip with a meal, but have been sooo sick a few too many times by drinking too much with a meal. That's enough to keep me from overdoing it. I like the ice chip suggestion.
   — mosie555