Question:
Can you never drink with a meal again?

I forgot to ask with my previous question, can we never drink with a meal again? This is hard for me, a habit I am having trouble breaking I suppose.    — leeann N. (posted on September 8, 2002)


September 8, 2002
You may be physically able to do it, but it can defeat your surgery. Let's say your optimum meal size at 2 yrs post-op is 6 oz. And you do 3 6 oz meals and some little snack. If you drink along with the meal, sip, bite, sip, bite, you can easily take in double that amount & never feel a thing. If 3X 6 oz was perfect, what will 3X 12 oz do to your wt loss? That's the focus. Do I want this (whatever) right now? Or do I want the long term goodies? I drink up to the first bite, and then again 30 min later. I keep a glass on the table, in case something is hot or hangs up, but there had better NOT be more than an oz or so missing when I clear my place.
   — vitalady

September 8, 2002
I drink with my meals! I did the "don't drink for so long before and so long after" meals. I was so damned thirsty during meals that I could'nt stand it.... and by only having a certain window to drink I complety forgot to drink during the times I could. Yes I was thirsty but still forgot as I was trying so hard to do things according to the rules. I was getting dehydrated for nothing. So now I drink with my meals but try not to drink alot although sometimes I do. Yet I don't overeat and I'm still losing although it is very slow now. (16 months post op so it would be slow). I'm sure it would be better if I did'nt, but I have enough problems with dehydration as it is! (My urine is always a dark yellow). I don't need to add more dehydration to it by those rules where you can only drink during such and such a time. I'm glad it works for most people, but it never has for me. I need all the fluid I can get.
   — Danmark

September 8, 2002
shhhh dont tell but I also drink with my meals. I can NOT handle dry dinners. I sip. I dont over eat because I know how much a serving is and I put it on my plate and I am not hungry when I am done and dont USUALLY eat again until my next planned meal. I found that early early on (I am almost 16 weeks out now) that there was NO way I could have eaten the amount I should b eating unless I washed it down with some sips of water. I dont think its hindering my loss any at all. I am down 84 pounds from 304 to 220. :0) god I love saying that!!!~ttfn
   — Sassy M.

September 8, 2002
I sip once in awhile with my meals, for me though if I drink to much with a meal or to soon after a meal, it will mean it will all come back up on me. seconds if I drink to In my old life I would ask for a pitcher of water, I drank so much with my meals. This was really hard for me not to drink with meals, I am use to it now, if I need water, just a small sip will take care of that need for me. Of course you know water will wash you food through your pouch to quickley , and we need it to stay there as long as possible for our health. Hugs
   — Jeri P.

September 9, 2002
Its not that you can't, its that you shouldn't. In the beginning when you are never hungry, it doesn't make much of a difference other than trying to get into the habit early on of not drinking during or right after meals. After the hunger returns, the point of not drinking is to let the food stay in your tummy for as long as possible to give you that full feeling. If you drink, you wash the food out quickly and you get hungry faster. I sometimes have a sip or two with a meal if it is particularly spicy or salty, but usually do well with not drinking for 45 minutes after a meal. It was a habit I have developed since WLS and just got used to it.
   — Cindy R.

September 9, 2002
You know, that was my biggest fear going into this surgery...not being able to drink with meals. Previously I would drink 2-3 big glasses of water with just about all meals...and the thought of not doing it was scary! I am now almost 11 weeks post op, and I can say it is not hardly as difficult as I thought it would be. My doctor has said that he allows 1 oz during meals, but I don't allow myself even that. You'll do fine...just remember to eat SLOWLY!.
   — MaryBeth R.

September 9, 2002
I will be 3 years post op in may. I would never dream of drinking with my meals no matter how thirsty I became. I did not have this huge surgery and risk my life to screw it up over a drink. I drink before and an hour after , if I am desperate I drink a half hour after , small sips. I Am too afraid that I will stretch my pouch. I am very careful with this precious gift I have been given. You make your own decision , it is your life. This was mine. Good luck and God bless.
   — Rose A.

September 10, 2002
I did "pretty" good at not drinking with my meals while I was still in the active losing phase. I would have occasional sips, but consciously tried to keep it to the minimum I could stand. After I lost all the weight, however, I relaxed some on that. Now I still TRY to not drink very much, but if I feel thirsty or if the food is somewhat dry, I do take drinks. Actually, I still take small sips, but sometimes more of them than before. Maybe it will help if you can think of it as more of a temporary thing & that down the road a ways you will have more freedom to sip a little more. Another factor is that after so long of NOT drinking much with your meals, you become more used to it. So it does become easier to live with at about the same time you find you can tolerate a little more drinking with your meals. Ironic, isn't it? :)
   — Kathy W.

September 10, 2002
I guess the purpose is to not fill yourself with the liquid, but I still drink with my meals. Not a lot, but a few sips here and there. I find it makes everything go down better. And especially if its water, its helping flush. My doc says that's ok.
   — emilyfink




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