Question:
Why are we told to not drink 30 min prior to a meal and 1-2 hrs. after a meal?

I was wondering why we need to stop drinking fluids 30 min before a meal and then not have any liquids for 1-2 hrs. after the meal. I sometimes need to drink a little water with a meal - should I not? And do we not drink after eating because it will flush the food out of our pouches too soon and thus we won't get proper absorbtion of proteins and vitamins? Thank you all for your help with my question. -Kim 11 weeks post op down -62lbs!    — Kimberly B. (posted on July 9, 2003)

July 9, 2003
There are at least two good reasons not to drink with or near your meals: 1) your pouch is very small and just doesn't have room to hold both enough food and liquid, especially as a new postie, and 2) drinking with or shortly after your meals will help turn your food into "soup" that will empty out of your pouch much more quickly than food on its own would. That will make you feel hungry much sooner after eating than if the food were still in the tummy. Vitamins and minerals are absorbed in the intestines, not the stomach, so it's not a problem of moving them out of your stomach, it's one of emptying your pouch and creating hunger. Some people have a hard time breaking the habit of drinking with meals, but you really must. As with most habits, it gets easier with time and practice.
   — Vespa R.

July 9, 2003
Did your nutritionist/surgeon say 1-2 hours? Its almost time for your next mini meal by then, and how can you get in all your water if you wait that long? Mine says 30 min before and 30 min after.
   — bethybb

July 9, 2003
It helps slow down your eating, which makes it a great habit to develop for long-term success with this surgery (like eating protein first). Drinking while eating does *not* affect absorption of vitamins and minerals, but it does keep the pouch from staying filled up, which is the point of the restrictive aspect of the RNY.
   — Suzy C.

July 9, 2003
I'm allowed to eat up until that first bite of food enters my mouth and again 30 minutes after I eat. If you need to you could suck some ice after you eat to help quench thirst.
   — [Deactivated Member]

July 9, 2003
I meant I'm allowed to DRINK up until that first bite. Yeesh!
   — [Deactivated Member]