Question:
Do I still need to follow rules about drinking water at meals at 1 year post op?

I will be 1 year post op in two weeks. Do I still need to follow the rule about not drinking anything for 1/2 an hour before meals and no drinking for 1 hour after eating? I am having a problem getting in all my water, and this really limits when I can drink it. I have gotten used to not drinking with my meals, and this doesn't bother me, but will I always have to not drink with my meal?    — june22 (posted on December 14, 2003)

December 13, 2003
I think it matters more than ever now. I could easily drink with a meal now and could make it so that I could eat a ton more by flushing that food through my pouch. I can also drink much faster now and have no problem getting my fluids if I am paying attention to drinking in between meals. The amount you would drink with a meal would probably be very little so is no justification for drinking with meals. Make a concerted effort to get your fluids in for a few days and it will become second nature. I occasionally will just forget to drink and pay the price with no weight loss or fluid retention. When you are closer to goal it is really important to get it in.
   — Carol S.

December 13, 2003
I follow the half hour rule before or after. Our pouches empty after 20 minutes. The support group I went to said liquids are what will stretch you stomache. I am not sure if this is true. The idea that water will "flush" your pouch out ??? The reasoning I heard is the water is aborbed and the food expands so it will stretched your pouch.
   — Rebecca K.

December 13, 2003
My surgeon says half hour before and after. I have done it for so long now that I don't even think about it. I just do it that way. The couple of times I drank while eating- I ate too much and ended up feeling ill afterwards. Just really be aware of your fluid intake between meals. At 16 months post-op, I get more than enough fluids in. Good luck and Happy Holidays!!
   — Sharon1964

December 14, 2003
I am only 1 week post op so I am not the wise one on the block BUT ... I was told not to drink for a half hour before meals so that I would be able to have room in my pouch to get my protein in. Based on this I would think that it would not be a problem to drink right up to the beginnig of a meal as long as you are able to get your protein; however, I think it might be a wise thing to run past the surgeon or maybe his nurse if he has one available to you. I can't even discuss the half hour after because I don't know about it flushing the food or causing the food to swell up. Good luck, and THANK YOU ALL FOR THE PRAYERS!! THEY WORKED!
   — Angie Taylor

December 15, 2003
As you can see, I'm over 2 1/2 years Post-op, and as the other awnser said, It's become second nature. I don't even think about it. I never drink with my meals, about a half hour before to about an hour after. I just never have a glass or bottle on the table during a meal. But I constantly have a bottle of water or drink mix by my side every waking moment other than meals. I usually get in about 80 oz or more a day. Good luck, Happy Holidays!
   — bek4901

December 15, 2003
I am 2yrs & 3+ months postop. If I drink with my meals I will get very burpy & full of air and will throw up. I do not drink more than a couple of very small sips if needed during a meal and don't drink for approx 20-30 mins afterwards. But I don't restict myself prior to eating. I will drink right up to the beginning of my meal. It seems to work. I have seen several times that drinking and eating at the same time flushes out your pouch so you eat much more than you should. Why chance gaining weight? Good Luck. karen (open rny, 9/6/01, 297/144)
   — Karen M.

December 15, 2003
Yes, Brenda, this rule is forever and ever. I'm almost 2 years post-op and like the others said, it becomes 2nd nature after a while. I drink right up until I eat and then not for 45 minutes or so afterwards. The issue is that once you drink after a meal it washed out the food from the pouch and you lose that full feeling and get HUNGRY again, hence, you eat sooner. This is not an issue for those who don't get hungry but the further out you get, the more the hunger and your quantity of food intake increase, so the longer you can keep that full feeling the better. As for water consumption, have you tried carrying a bottle of water with you everywhere? I have a little carrying case with a shoulder strap for mine and its like having a 2nd purse slung over the shoulder. Goes EVERYWHERE with me-car, office, meetings, gym etc...only way I can get in all my water..
   — Cindy R.