drinking

Do we have to not drink for 30 mins before and 30 mins after meals for the rest of our lives or is that just something we have to do temporarily? Is that rule for snacks too? If you eat 3 meals per day + 2 snacks.... that is 5 hours that we cannot drink anything that day.  I don't think I can get in 64oz of water in the time period that is left without gulping.....and I cannot do that. Any feedback on this.....

Gail - Yes, forever and always about the 30 mins before/after meals, including snacks, BUT eventually, per Kathy at DVR's office, you can drink right up until you eat - it's the after that is the most important.  Until you get that go-ahead from them, I would still stick with 30 before/after.  Don't wanna wash that protein away - it needs to sit to foster that full feeling.  Also, picture a clogged drain, which is your stomach when you're full - if you add water to a clogged drain, it just sits on top of the clog, and could overflow.  Trust me, you don't want to overflow! Okay, so you're not even a month out, right?  And you can't gulp yet because boy will the pain tell you!!!  But let me reassure you that at less than a month out, I was where you are, and now, I drink between 140 and 200 oz. of water a day.  I promise!!  It gets easier and things return to normal, if there is such a thing. Hang in there - your body and your mind are trying to absorb all that's happened and are still healing. Take care, Tia

Hi Gail, I did this same "math" too and fortunately it isn't quite that bad. I'm on board with what Tia said about that whole sit and wait thing. I always pause now after the third or fourth bite. There comes this wonderful feeling of satisfaction. The further out I go the more foods seem to trigger the "STOP, I'M FULL" sensation and learning to recognize them is important. Basically a bite past this there is pain.  As far as liquids, I'm able to take larger and larger sips, but I always wait a moment or two for things to land. This has taken time too. I hope You are well, Mark

Tia explained it very well. I will sip right up until I eat now. I always wait after I eat.

You RNYers have it easy.  With the VBG, I have to wait 60 mins after a meal before I can drink again or you know what happens......   

Hey you - I would say "easy" is a relative term!!  But yes, I think I'd pass out if I had to wait 60 minutes after.  The before and during is easy, it's the after that kills me!  Hint:  I did find that Breathsavers Sours helped enormously!!  Generates saliva, if nothing else!!!    Hey, a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do! Tia