Question:
Why do I hear that it is
Why is it not ok to drink when you eat after wls surgery? I get very thirsty when I eat and need something to drink. If I do not drink one half to one hour before and after each meal like suggested then I can not get in enough water through the course of the day. Does anyone know why you are not suppose to drink during or right before or after a meal? — Elaine B. (posted on July 28, 2001)
July 28, 2001
There are a couple of reasons. The first one is because it HURTS!!!
Another very important one is that if you are eating and drinking at the
same time, your liquid will take up precious space in your small pouch and
you won't be able to get enough nutrients. Also, if you drink right after
eating, it will wash the food out too soon and you will lose the
nutritional value. As a former drinker/eater, I can tell you that this is
something that you will get used to. It was probably the hardest thing for
me to adjust to along with slowing down.
— livnliter
July 28, 2001
The library on this site has many answers to this frequently asked
question. There are many opinions and points of view given there. Try
looking under post-op diet or post-op help. Do a search for
"drinking" or other related words.
— [Anonymous]
July 28, 2001
I think people have covered the reasons why one is not supposed to eat and
drink simulaneously with an RNY procedure. However, I have to mention that
this is not the case with the BPD/DS because the intact pyloric valve keeps
the contents in the stomach to be processed and it isn't 'washed' into the
intestines too soon. Some people experience an extreme fullness or pain
upon eating/drinking immediately post-op with the DS, too. It's a pretty
normal result of swelling and tenderness in the 'new stomach'. However, I
did not have problems with this and drank a little with my meals. I drink
whenever I'm thirsty (whether it's right after the meal or before, etc.)
and have to make myself drink more water just about like everyone else on
this planet! LOL The 'rule' about not eating and drinking was one of the
reasons I originally investigated the DS in the first place since I was
also worried about staying hydrated and being thirsty. I just couldn't see
myself sticking to a schedule or worrying about when I drank in relation to
when I ate (or would eat). I'm not saying this is a problem for any
post-op RNY folks -- and perhaps it isn't as big of a deal further out once
the pouch stretches a bit and can accomodate more. But, it was a concern
for me, too. All the best, (laparoscopic BPD/DS with gallbladder removal,
January 25, 2001)
— Teresa N.
July 28, 2001
If you get too thirsty when you eat, you might want to watch the sodium
content of the foods you are eating. If your doctor has said not to drink
when you eat, why not just listen to him? As difficult as it is (I was a
take a bite/take a sip kind of person, too, once!!!) he only has your best
interest (and best weight loss) in mind. Do it his way until you reach
your goal. Try it your way after.
— [Anonymous]
July 28, 2001
Hi Marie...it seems like you have gotten a lot of answers here but I am not
sure you have gotten the one you are looking for. I had RNY and my doc
told me the reason I shouldn't drink during eating and I should wait 15
minutes until after is because the liquid washes the food down so you don't
fill up as fast. Since I gather from the other answers you have gotten
that different surgeries have different requirements, I would suggest just
point blank asking your doctor why you can't drink while eating. I am sure
you won't be the first one to have asked. Good luck!
— Sharon E.
July 28, 2001
I drink up until the first bite of solid food. By the time I've cooled
& chewed that first bite, most of the liquid has gone on through. I
rarely sip during meals as I know it can cost me as much as 20# in the long
term, so I keep the drinking til about 30 min after. I also used to down 3
HUGE glasses of milk with every meal and that's a hard habit to break. But
given a choice of weighing 110 or 130? I CAN control that urge to bite 'n
sip. Yes, I can do this!
— vitalady
August 5, 2001
I can't drink with or after meals because I vomit all of the food I have
consumed and lose valuable nutrients.
— jcwilkin34
August 5, 2001
Hi Marie,
I had R-N-Y Feb 28th. I can sometimes eat and drink with my meal. It just
depends on what I'm eating. I think to each his own. If it hurts than you
are doing something wrong. Don't get me worng I don't gulp down a whole
glass. I try to just take little sips if I need it while I'm eating. I
think that everyone is different. I agree with the other posts that you
should call and ask your doctor.Oh btw I'm down 82 pounds in 5 months. Not
bad for a lightweight. c-ya and goodluck
— Heather C.
October 9, 2001
Hi. I am only 7 days post-op VBG, but I am also a R.N. The reason my
physician gave for not drinking with meals is because some foods can
"swell" when they encounter liquid. So....say your pouch is 2
ounces big.......then after about 1 ounce of food, you drink several sips
of liquid....if this is a food that swells when it encounters liquid, then
your pouch could become full. This could present a couple of
problems....one is that it could cause you to over-eat. But, suppose you
ate 2 whole ounces and drank liquids immediately...if your pouch was only 2
ounces big in the first place, then you could "stretch" your
pouch! We want our pouches to stay as small as possible. A little
stretching is going to happen....but some of it can be prevented. My
doctor said to wait at least 45 min to 1 hour after a before and after
meals to consume liquids. Hope that helps.
— Cyndi K.
February 20, 2002
I am 2 weeks post op. Drinking after eating makes me very very sick. I
can't stand the feeling. I now have to wait 2 hours after eating before
drinking. I can only eat one fourth cup at a time of solids, but can eat 2
cups of broth.
— denise C.
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