Question:
How hard is it not to drink water with your food??

I know you have to drink your water 20 minuets before meals and 20 minuets after, But how hard is it not to drink during meals, I usually drink a lot of water with meals.    — peaceangel58 (posted on September 27, 2000)

September 27, 2000
It's not hard at all. Not drinking before a meal is the hardest for me. Sometimes, it's not until I'm ready to eat do I realize that I'm thirsty. Knowing that I won't be drinking for 1/2 hour after meals (at least), I sometimes have something to drink to quench my thirst and put off eating for a little while. I used to be a big drinker during meals - usually two large glasses of soda or iced tea. I thought it would be very hard to not drink while I eat, but it really hasn't been that difficult.
   — Gina E.

September 27, 2000
I find it extremely hard not drinking with my meals even at 4 months post-op. I was a big drinker with meals, two or three glasses of tea with my meals. It's very hard for me waiting that 30 minutes but I do it because I don't want to stretch out my pouch. I also find that popping in a piece of gum after I eat helps til my 30 minutes are up.
   — Deania W.

September 27, 2000
We drink right up to the first bite, but not after. At 6 yrs, it can still be hard to maintain if I dont' hydrate well before the meal. I'm too afraid of regain to actually DO it, but I do think of it. Pre-op, I drink 3 big hunking glasses of milk (yes, milk) with every meal. Going cold turkey on milk was hard, but not as hard as it was to stop washing my food down. But given a choice of buying back UP the sizes in my wardrbe, nah, I CAN do it.
   — vitalady

September 27, 2000
I took the surgery October of 1997 and I still cannot drink and eat. Each and every time I end up vommiting.
   — MARY R.

September 28, 2000
I was also in the habit of drinking a lot during meals. It's more of a habit to break more than anything else. Don't worry. It'll seem a little wierd the first few weeks, but if you drink too close to the food you will find out the HARD way why you shouldn't do it. This in itself provides a good deterrant! :)
   — Paula G.

September 29, 2000
I haven't found it terribly difficult because I only ever drank a few sips with meals to begin with. I'd go out to eat and order a small glass of pop and leave most of it sitting on the table when I left. Now, if I eat something spicy or rich and just have to clean the palate, a tiny sip will do - and I mean tiny. You can also swish and spit (if you're at home - don't try this in public!) or have some ice chips on hand. A slice of fresh fruit with a meal helps too, as does brushing your teeth after a meal. I also like Breathsavers Wintergreen Mints for after a meal...no real sugar, but sweetened with Manitol and very fresh and cleansing.
   — Allie B.

September 29, 2000
Immediately and for several weeks postop (depending on what your surgeon's eating plan dictates) you'll probably go from clear liquids to full liquids to pureed to soft and won't feel the need to drink during meals. It's when you get to more "regular" foods you might have a problem, but the "drinking with eating" habit might be a little easier to break by then because you've already gone all those weeks without it. Preop I always drank with my meals. Now the only time I feel the need is when I have something dry, like chicken. When I know I'm going to have something dry I try to eat something a little moist with it, like mashed potatoes and gravy, melon, canned spinach, etc. I concentrate on my protein and just have a few bites of these things. I have been guilty of taking a small sip or two when eating but that is usually only at restaurants and I really try to avoid it.
   — Kellie L.