Question:
why do they say not to eat and drink at the same time ?

   — melissa W. (posted on January 9, 2002)

January 9, 2002
I am still a pre-op but it is my understanding because the pouch can only hold said amount. If you are drinking and eating at the same time the liquid is filling up space where food could be. I have also heard it may stretch the pouch because it goes through faster and makes you feel less full than you are. If I am wrong please set it straight someone.
   — Barb R.

January 9, 2002
I am post op 4 months and the reason i read and was told is that if that if you fill up your pouch with liquid then you won't be hungry for your food and your protein and other nutrients that you need don't digest and and get absorbed correctly. Remember your new pouch will only hold 3-4oz in the beginning so there isn't much room. So you need to get in your protein and nutrients first.
   — [Anonymous]

January 9, 2002
Fluid pushes your food through your pouch, therefore making you hungry more often. It can also take up the room in your pouch that your food is supposed to take up. (I've had a BAD problem breaking this habbit post op and having some problems because of it) However, some people CAN do it and have no problem...
   — Elizabeth D.

January 9, 2002
Trust me, you don't want to drink before you eat (it will fill your pouch with liquid and you won't get the nutrients you need), you don't want to drink while you are eating (again, too filling, but it can also cause problems, see next reason) and don't drink for at least 30 minutes to an hour after you eat, for nutrients sake and for this awful, horrible feeling bubbling, burps, gas, pain from too much in the pouch at one time, pain from pushing the food through the pouch too fast, vomiting, nausea and possibly hurting your pouch. SOME people can handle it, but most can not! I found out I couldn't quite by accident. I started setting a timer after that!!
   — Sharon H.

January 9, 2002
I was eating shrimp gumbo yesterday with big cunks of shrimp and vegetables, yet tons of liquid. Isn't this the same as eating and drinking at the same time? I always sip with my meals, just because I can't handle it. My nutritionist said it was ok to sip, but to limit it to as little as possible.
   — [Anonymous]

January 10, 2002
There have been studies conducted regarding the amound of food in your pouch (or stomach) and how drinking fluid during eating empties your pouch (stomach). The results of these studies not only holds true for post-ops but regular folks as well. What they found was this: If you do not drink anything for 90 minutes after you eat, over 85% of the food that you eat is still in your pouch (stomach) and therefore, you are not hungry yet. However, for those who drank liquids with their meals or 10, 30, even 60 minutes after they ate, the food in their pouches (stomachs) emptied out rather quickly. Thus, folks who don't wait the recommended 90 minutes after eating to drink are helping to "push" the food out of their pouch (stomach) and thus, are increasing the likelihood that they will be hungry sooner. It is also recommended that you stop drinking 15 minutes before you eat. That way, the liquid in your pouch (stomach) has essentially emptied and will not take the place of the food and nutrients that your body needs. Additionally, many yogis (those who practice and teach yoga) also recommend that you allow your body to perform one act at a time, digesting food or water. So...it seems to be a rather universal idea. Now, I also realize that many weight loss programs recommend drinking a large glass of water before eating to help you to feel full. But see, they recommend it BEFORE eating, not during or after. Hope that all this helps. Kierstin
   — Kierstin C.

January 10, 2002
This concept has me baffled. I am pre-op and have trouble thinking that in the future I can never drink while eating a meal. I am so used to washing down my huge bites of food with a glass of water. I realize those huge bites of food have to stop too, but I can deal with that better than no drinks. I also love to guzzle my water, especially during exercise. I get really thirsty! What do the long term post ops do? Are you eventually able to drink while you eat a meal? And what about taking big drinks of water? I love, really LOVE to gulp down an entire bottled water right after exercise. Won't this be possible? Oh and to the original poster, I'm sorry I don't have any answers to your question, only more questions! I'm glad you posted this because I have been thinking about this lately.
   — A. S.

January 10, 2002
A.S. - you won't _want_ to drink with your meals, it is uncomfortable for most people, most of the time. And yes, there will be no huge bites to have to be washed down (To me it seems gross now that I ate such huge mouthfulls that they could not even physically be swallowed! I am always bugging my husband to CHEW, not inhale. Where is the enjoyment and savoring?) The extra chewing causes more saliva so the food is wetter and easier to swallow. I think most people will take occasional very small sips while eating dry foods. It is a habit, but you totally relearn to eat and be full the weeks after surgery, so I think most people adjust better than they think they will (unfortunatly, some people only learn by getting sick repeatedly) Also, after about 2 months you will be able to drink quite fast, on an empty stomach. While working out yesterday, I drank half a liter sipping during my workout (I can't drink cold water fast while I work out, makes me feel sick, always has) and drank the other half liter in less than 5 minutes after my workout. No problem. I am 9.5 months out. These are legitimate questions and fears. I tried eating slower and chewing more before surgery. Not to the extent I do post op, but just got used to chewing and diffent consistancies. I like to think it helped. Best wishes...
   — M. A. B.