Why can't you drink with meals post op?

[Pattimelt]

Hi all, I was just wondering why you have to avoid drinking with meals after you have your sleeve. It's in my post op instructions, but no reason why was provided. I just wanted to know the reasoning behind that rule. Thanks for any info or input, Patti

[Ann2]

I think (?) the tactic was first used with folks who had bypass surgery. In the RnY (bypass) surgery, the entire bottom of the stomach is cut out (along with the pyloric valve that we have between our stomachs and upper intestine). And post-op when bypass patients ate food and slurped liquids along with their food the food just washed immediately into the intestine, leaving their hungry little tummies empty almost immediately. And wondering where the food went. And feeling hungry again pretty fast.

So for us with sleeves (even though we have our pyloric valves intact), the reason for not drinking with meals was essentially the same: The longer food stays in our stomachs / sleeves, the more satiated we feel for longer. And if we don't drink with our meals and turn our chewed food into slurry, it'll stay in our stomachs longer and make us feel satisfied longer.

BTW, this is the same principle that's followed by the instruction to "eat dense protein first." Protein (especially meat) is hard to digest. Harder than grains or veggies or fruits. So if you put it in the tummy first, it sits there on the above the pyloric valve being digested for longer than, say carbs.

BTW, this principle is also accessed by the instruction to avoid "slider" and "slurry" foods -- highly processed, high-carb foods (like chips, cookies, crackers, white flour breads and pastas, sweets, etc.) -- because they are already pre-digested (by all that processing) and do not challenge the sleeve / pyloric valve much at all. Those "slider" foods just slide right down through the pyloric valve into the intestine.

And that, children, is why you can't eat just one potato chip.

[azladyrider]

I followed the rule for about 6 months - nearly 5 years out for me and never pay attention to it anymore. I think it has something to do with drinking will flush any type of food you are able to eat right through rather than letting it absorb to get the nutrients. Dunno for sure but that's my guess

[Donald G]

Liquids work as a filler along with the other reasons Ann2 wrote about, so drinking while eating takes up space making you feel full quicker which will limit your protein intake possibly.

[DesertGal]

At my last appointment with the surgeon, he reiterated this point again: When your pouch is a small as it is, you DO NOT want to drink liquids right before you eat because it will fill up the space. Stop drinking 30 minutes before your meal. And not to drink 30 minutes to an hour after eating because it will cause the foods you ate to slide on through, not making you feel satiated by the protein and veggies you just ate. I've been doing this for a couple months now, preparing for the surgery. It's hard (for me, anyway...but I'm doing it).

[Luna354]

In addition to what previous posters said, I was also told that it can help push through food allowing you to eat more (which we don't want)

[Pattimelt]

Thanks for all of your responses everyone. Now I understand better the rule to abstain from liquids before and after for 30 minutes. You guys are an invaluable resource!

[Christie13]

Definitely something that takes getting used to.

[Sandra3]

I was really careful to follow those rules for almost 9 months. I've seen bariatric patients who didn't eat enough protein and got sick, just because they were drinking water durong meals. For the past 4 months, I sometimes drink a little before my meal, or two sips during, but I'm still careful not to go overboard.

[Katrina]

I never followed that rule, but I do notice that I barely touch my drink at a restaurant. If I'm thirsty, I drink. If I'm not, I don't. Which is terrible as I paid attention yesterday and found that I only drank my protein shake for breakfast and one 16 ounce bottle of water all day - nothing else. I really need to be mindful and drink more, lots more.

[Bagawk!]

I think it has something to do with drinking will flush any type of food you are able to eat right through rather than letting it absorb to get the nutrients.

That's what I was told. It also makes me vomit the dreaded foamy slime when I eat and drink at the same time. Not always, but when it happens to me, that's what does it.

[Pam G]

you can, but it's not advised. Mostly, because you'll fill up SUPER fast and won't be able to get your protein in, then you'll quickly get hungry again.

(unlike the bypass, the sleeve leave the stomach's pyloric valve intact, so that thing about moving food too quickly through your stomach doesn't apply to us. that's for bypass folks.)