Question:
I cannot seem to get used to not drinking with meals.

Any suggestions...I am Rny, 14 weeks post and down -72lbs. But my hardest thing to overcoem is the craving for a drink with my meals.    — Oldsoul (posted on May 30, 2002)

May 30, 2002
Hi - I thought I would have the same problem but the doctor said I can have all the crushed ice I want, even during meal time. So this solved that problem, plus it helps me slow down when I'm eating. Good Luck & Your Loss sounds "GREAT" !!!
   — Ken H.

May 30, 2002
Another thing that I would do and sometimes still do is to include a small amount of juicy fruit in my meal and eat it at the end. It could be a few grapes, some watermelon, pineapple, etc.
   — livnliter

May 30, 2002
Personally, I wouldn't advise you to go the route of the crushed ice OR the juicy fruit. Both of those things will act the same way that water does; it will move the food out of your pouch SOONER. I worried so much about adapting to the "no drinks with food" post op advice. As a pre-op, I used to drink 32 ounces of iced tea with all my meals. I couldn't even begin to imagine NO LIQUID! There have been only two things that have helped me to adjust to this new behavior: 1)I drink a glass of water immediately BEFORE eating (I know some docs say NO to this, but it doesn't make any sense.. water moves right through your pouch once you're several months post op) and then 2) I NEVER put a drink on the table at my place. If I've had something spicy that makes me want to drink soon after my meal, I will usually chew a piece of gum or suck on a small sugarless breath mint. Work as hard as you can to adhere to the no drinking with and right after meals. The longer you can keep the food in your pouch, the less you will eat and the longer you will stay "full." There are a lot of people who will tell you that they "drink a little with their meals, and they're doing just fine" however, take into consideration how far post op they are. There is so MUCH that we can all "get away with" in that first 6 months or so (and longer for some) but it does seem to catch up eventually with almost all of us. Drinking with meals is commonly cited as a problem or habit for people who have not been succesful in the long term with their surgery. Good luck!
   — BethVBG