Water (liquids) with meals and after-What is your take?

My doctor said the "no liquids durning meals or after" is out and is an old reccommendation. He said sip no more than 4 oz during a meal and drink normally after meals.  I fell into pressure to not drink during meals and one hour after meals and I started having problems getting enough fluids in-3 meals a day, it takes one hour to eat and then having to wait another hour that is 6 hours out of the day that you aren't getting fluids in. My doctor encouraged me to drink. He does agree that you can wash down your food if you gulp or drink too much during meals but, he said studies have found that you have to drink more than 4 oz. at a time to do harm and after meals fluids have not been found to do any harm. What is your take on this subject? No flames, please. I'm simply posing the question to see what everyone else's doctors are saying about this topic. I know it is important to follow your doctor's advice. I'm finally getting in all my daily fluids in. Yippee!

 

 

My doctor still says no fluids 1/2 hr before and 1 hr after meals.  the dietician also said this at my consult.  I think it makes sense.  But you should follow whatever your doctor tells you.

i drink right up till about 10 min or before i eat , then nothing for at least 1 after. but as other posters have said you should follow your surgeons reccomendations tara

My surgeon & nutritionist said no drinking 30 min. before, 30 min, after, or during meals.  Not drinking during or after meals makes sense to me.  I don't understand why the prohibition before meals and don't worry too much about that part of it.  I'm able to abstain for 30 min. after meals and still get all my liquids in. Jean

I'm with you Jean. I read somewhere -- one of my Lap Band books, but I can't find the passage says that it is advised to drink up until your first bite and then not for an hour after you've finished your meal.  The theory was that the lower stomach fills with water and then you're able to fill the upper with your food.  You'll be satiated longer. I have been doing this and I think it works well.

I was also told "no liquids for 30 minutes before meals and no liquids for 1 hour after meals".  Between meals, I drink about 32 oz. of water.  In May (a month after banding), I developed a urinary tract infection (ouch!).  I got religion after this episode and purchased two 32 oz. bottles from Walmart to make sure I'm getting enough water between meals.  I've also heard of people drinking a shot glass full of water during the meal, but no more.  One note of caution: I forgot and drank once right after I finished eating and, boy, did that hurt!  The pressure on the food in the pouch caused loads of pain!  Hope this helps.

The reason for NOT drinking water is "the band forms a little pouch at the top of your stomach.  When you eat solids they stay in the small pouch and make you feel full.  If you drink liquids you defeat the band and the wash the food down to the lower stomach and feel hungier alot sooner.  Please, get some better advice from someone other than your doctor.  You also must drink enough fluids without drinking them with your meal.  Sorry.  Diane 

I do what your doc recomends somewhat and haven't had a problem. Most of the time I don't have room for more than a few sips so them problem fixes itself. I do try to drink a bunch of water right before I eat because I won't have room during or after.

I have also read in the band guide that you shouldn't be taking more than 20 minutes to eat your meal.  After 20 minutes some of the food in the pouch starts to travel into our larger stomach, which gives you room to eat more than you should.  There should be plenty of time to get your fluids in if your meals didn't take an hour.  My doctor didn't tell me anything, I am just following the band guide and the one Allergan has.  I hate waiting an hour, but if I drink before that I can feel the water washing the food down, which is defeating the purpose.  No flames, here....just my two cents.

Thanks for your input. I'm following my doctor's guidelines and I'm losing weight at a great rate,eating small portions, small bites,chewing a lot, and getting in all my fluids. Thanks again for your input.