One of the questions we are asked most often at seminar is, “I heard you can’t eat and drink at the same time – is that right?” What is our answer? Yes, that’s true – you cannot eat and drink at the same time. You are supposed to wait 30 minutes after drinking before you eat a meal, then wait at least 30 minutes after eating before you drink again.
Now while this is one of the first things we tell you way back when you first start this journey, I think it’s one of the easiest things to forget. Especially as time goes by, and especially if you have a lot of restriction, you start with “just a little sip” with meals to help food go down, then on to 1/4 glass, then eventually on to eating and drinking.
What happens then? The weight either stops dropping off or you actually gain weight. Why? Because liquids wash your carefully chewed food right through the band. That is crucial to understand because what gives you the full feeling after eating is the stretch above the band from the food you ate. If you wash it right through the band with “just a little sip” it won’t cause a stretch, you won’t feel full and you’ll eat more than you should or you’ll snack soon after eating because you’re hungry. If you need that little sip to get food to stay down than one of two things is happening: either you’re too tight and need an unfill or you’re not chewing well. But you shouldn’t have to drink with your meals in order for food to go down and stay down.
REMEMBER: the band should control your hunger allowing you to diet without suffering, not prevent you from overeating. The band should not give you bulemia. It should be a tool to help make loosing weight – and keeping it off- much easier.
13. May 2009 at 9:43 pm
Before my surgery, I used to drink at least a pitcher of water with my meals. Now, on the RARE occasion that I eat at a restaurant, I do not order a drink at all with my meals. The waitstaff act like I am CRAZY and constantly try to insist to bring me a glass of water or something to drink. It has become annoying having to explain every single time why I do not want a drink…. sometimes I just want to order the water to avoid the hassle. UGH!!! Has anyone else faced this problem, or am I the only one??
14. May 2009 at 8:44 am
I wish you were the only one, but I’ve heard that a lot. Sometimes the managers actually come over worried that the waiters forgot to bring you something
Ordering the water is fine, as long as you push it off to the side so you’re not tempted to drink from it while eating.
17. May 2009 at 11:45 pm
Wow…I never realized the correlation was so important. I think it is why I may be having so many problems with not losing weight as quickly as I would like too… This website is wonderful.
18. May 2009 at 8:32 am
Thanks! We really want it to be an extra source of information and inspiration. Sometimes there’s just too much to say in a short office visit
18. May 2009 at 6:07 pm
I am still having problems, wanting to drink with my meals, does anyone have any suggestions?
18. May 2009 at 7:45 pm
I think that would be a great question to pose to your fellow “band”its at support group!
22. June 2009 at 2:09 pm
I am considering lap band….is it unusual for someone to worry that they will miss food and worry that they can’t go out to eat and enjoy themselves after lap band???
25. June 2009 at 6:13 pm
I think it’s very common to be anxious about missing out on things you enjoy now. To quell those fears, I would go to a support group and talk to people who have already had their band. I think you will find that they can still enjoy their favorite foods, just less often and in smaller quantities!
17. August 2009 at 2:19 am
Dr.K I have had so many problems by not drinking with my meals. I am unable to chew my food that well because I have only 6 top teeth and no back teeth on bottom. If I do not drink I choke. I know that sounds like a cop-out but truth be known this may be part of the reason I am not able to lose anymore weight. I am not gaining Thank God! But I have weighed the exact same since October last year. I throw up alot and I mean everytime I eat. I hurt in my chest from it. I need a fill so badly but I am scared to be seen for I feel like I have let everyone there down. I recently lost my job to a layoff and I have not done everything I should have. I need help with this. But how do I get past not having enough teeth to chew my food correctly? I can not afford a dentist. I can not afford a bridge. Will the band ever work for me?
17. August 2009 at 8:44 pm
If you throw up a lot you do not need a fill. You quite likely need fluid removed from your Band. If anyone with a LapBand has food come up more than once every couple of weeks, they are generally too tight and need fluid taken out.
6. September 2009 at 7:31 am
I have found ordering water to go (complete with lid ), when drink orders areplaced solves this nicely… the wait staff are covered… and I simply set it aside until I leave with it, (hubby drinks it on the way home)…
6. September 2009 at 7:40 am
Great idea. I recommend something similar when you order food at a restaurant. The portion will always be too big. So right as your waiter brings you your food, get a “to-go” box. Place about 2/3′rds of your order in the to go box and place it to the side. The 1/3 remaining is often a more appropriate portion size to eat.
9. February 2010 at 10:05 pm
Great Idea Stephanie and Dr. Hekier. Stephanie I have actually started ordering my water with lemon in a “to go” cup. I do not put the straw in the lid until 30 min after I have finished eating so that I will not be tempted. Dr. H. I love the idea about placing 2/3rds of my order in the to go box before I start eating. I have never thought about that. My husband usually finishes my food for me. LOL
11. February 2010 at 12:16 am
Yelonda,
The idea of putting your meals immediately in a “to go” box was told to me by one of our patients many years ago.
Many great tips, tricks, and techniques come from patients. Feel free to share yours!
22. February 2010 at 6:47 pm
I have found that if I order water and pour salt in it, I can’t drink it, but the wait staff keep after me if I don’t order something. If I don’t pour salt in it, I WILL drink it. I usually order from the sides menu. Last weekend we went to a birthday party at Doc’s. I ordered one piece of fish and small salad. Didn’t eat it all but I had something and I got to visit with a lot of people too. LOL
23. February 2010 at 9:23 pm
NIce technique to keep from drinking it:)
One person here recently commented that they order the drink in a to-go cup, i.e. styrofoam, so the waiter can’t see that it stays full, and never bugs them about it.
2. March 2010 at 3:53 pm
Question for the DR. What is your opinion on using the Lap-Band with someone who has Crohns or any IBD?
2. March 2010 at 7:58 pm
It is my personal understanding that Crohn’s disease is a contraindication to placement of the Lap Band. Crohn’s disease, unlike other inflammatory conditions, can affect the entire GI tract including the stomach and esophagus.
Other inflammatory conditions such as Ulcerative Colitis should probably have no bearing on Lap Band placement.