Question:
Does drinking w/ meals cause problems.
It is so hard not to drink something at meal time. Will this really cause complications? — Julie P. (posted on June 20, 2003)
June 20, 2003
Julie,
According to my surgeon and nutritionist, drinking water with food causes
the food to flush out of your pouch sooner resulting in less satisfaction
and quicker hunger pangs. Good luck.
— Joyce N.
June 20, 2003
It will cause you to eat more since you will get hungry more quickly
(especially after 6 months) so you will lose less weight. I consider this
a complication as I want to lose as much weight as possible. Check out the
"pouch rules" for info on why you shouldn't drink with meals.
— mom2jtx3
June 20, 2003
I know people say that drinking with your meal may flush food out of your
pouch, and I'm sure that may be true. However, for me, if I drink too much
(I can drink just a small amount, if the situation demands it) with my meal
or too soon after my meal, I throw up. The entire meal just comes right
back out. This is probably unique to just me, but I wanted you to be
forewarned. ;-)
— Laurie A.
June 20, 2003
It can, that's why they make the rule. I know a girl who thought if she
drank after all meals she would lose faster, she became malnourished
because the food didn't have time to absorb. I also look at it like a
plugged drain and too much pressure on top of the food might stretch the
opening, plus it pushes the food through so you're hungrier quicker
— ZZ S.
June 20, 2003
Just a question...but what if you only take tiny sips to help moisten your
food...not enough to actually make anything move anywhere, and you're still
full and satisfied and don't end up eating more or more often? Is it still
wrong then?
— Jeralyn Merideth
June 20, 2003
Jerelyn- just like everything else in life each individual can decide how
they want to manipulate the rules- sipping to moisten food is still
drinking. Just like drunk driving: if you dont get caught is it still
illegal?
The no drinking rule is pretty standard- have a s/f popsickle after a meal
to moisten you palate and rinse the taste of food-
RNY's dont do that well with dry food, so you rfood should be pretty moist
anyway- just my opinion...
— ~~Stacie~~
June 20, 2003
Julie - I am 14 months post-op and have lost 155 pounds so far - 360 down
to 205. And from the beginning I have seen everyone post that they did not
dare drink before, during, or after meals. Also, my surgeon said not to
drink with meals BUT... I too, could not stand to eat without having a
small glass of water or tea. I have been drinking with my meals since I
began eating "real" food again. It has not affected me adveresely
at all. It did not cause me to have an overly-full feeling or to vomit and
I have not damaged my pouch. I still do not usually eat more than twice a
day, about a cup of food at a time. Drink lots of water between your meals.
It will help to keep you hydrated and also keep you full between meals. But
this is just MY experience. I know that others have had much different
experiences than I have. So... the best thing to do is see what works best
for YOU! It's your pouch and you have to learn to use it just like you had
to learn how to drive a car. Try a LITTLE bit of liquid with a couple of
meals - see how it affects your appetite and your weight loss. If you
experience adverse affects, just go back to doing meals without drinking.
Best of luck to you. Hugs, love, and peace - Mel
— ceridwyn
June 20, 2003
I am 18 months post-op and my surgeon still says no drinking with meals.
The reasons: 1) you wash food through the pouch too quickly and therefore
become hungry too soon. 2) Drinking while you eat CAN cause reflux of your
food into the lungs. It isn't guaranteed to do this but it can. He told
me that the rule holds for life. I haven't had any problems adhering to it
and I was a huge drinker with food. He did tell me, however, if I ever
felt like I had food stuck in my throat that it was ok to take a tiny sip.
— Patty_Butler
June 20, 2003
I drink with meals. I try not to drink much. I've lost just fine (-160 lbs)
— Danmark
June 20, 2003
Thanks Stacie. Just making an observation, not really bending any rules. If
the "rule" is in place so we do not overeat, and do not eat
sooner than normal...just curious as to the "what if's" on those
things *not* happening and if the rule would still be the same...and if so,
why? It becomes moot.
— Jeralyn Merideth
June 21, 2003
I was told in no uncertain terms not to drink either before or after a meal
for 30-60 minutes. I've never waited 60, but always wait at least 30.
— Ceil G.
June 21, 2003
On a few occasions I drank while eating.... Each time yakking away.... and
each time after eating, I threw up.... May be related, may not be related,
but definatly not my idea of fun. I was told by my doc in no uncertain
terms, nothing 1/2 hr before or after eating. It makes the food in your
pouch into a soup that goes thru faster which makes you get hungrier
faster, and you absorb less of the nutrients. Now, when I eat out, I move
the water out of reach, and take the lemon out. When the urge to drink
hits, I suck on the lemon. Wierd, but it works....
— mellyhudel
June 23, 2003
I have really learned to break this bad habit!! LOL each of the three times
I have tried to drink while eating I threw up.. I just can't handle the
food + liquid.. I usually wait about a half hour before drinking
anything... it was a hard habit to break.. but eventually you get tired of
puking! LOL
— momof3
June 23, 2003
I do drink sometimes with my meals but not as a rule. I try to drink some
before the meal and this helps no being to thirsty. If I have a salty
snack or meal I may sip afterwards. But if I drink to much it is coming
up! Doing this has not affected my loss at all. (start wt. 317 - total
loss 168, currently below goal weight 149, open RNY distal, 5'3" 16
months out)
— Oldsoul
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