I Can't stop drinking !!

[Plainsneech]

I don't know what my damage is. I was banded June 22, 2006. I have only lost 25 lbs. I have 2 cc's in a 4cc band. First fill 7/22 (1cc) and 2nd fill 9/29 (1cc) I am having a real problem with drinking during meals. I know that this is sabotaging me, any suggestions ?

[kelliebelly]

One of the things my Dr told me was that if I could comfortably drink while eating I am not restricted enough. All Drs have different opinions, but I tend to agree that if you can eat and drink at the same time maybe you arent quite restricted. I usually end up with a golfball if I drink while eating. I usually have to wait a bit.
25 lbs loss since June is still a loss....If you didnt have the band and are like me you would be 25lbs up since June.
As I have discovered its not a race and any loss is still a loss. If you dont have adequate restriction then that might hinder your weight loss as well.
What Id do in your predicament is drink a large glass of water or whatever you drink before your meal and hopefully that will get you through your meal. Try and wait half an hr or whatever your Dr tells you before drinking after your meal. If your thirst gets to bad why not suck on a water ice block or something and see if that helps.
Good Luck

[HeatherGurl]

I agree with Kel, if you can drink with your meal... I don't think your fill is quite right.
If I try to take a sip of anything with my meal, I have the golf ball feeling and usually slime.
I do not even order a drink if we go out to eat and I don't have a drink near me while I eat. Get in the habit of doing that and it will get easier as time passes.

Good Luck and WELCOME!

[paula]

My question is this, WHY are you drinking with your meals?

Is it because you get thirsty?
or
Is it out of habit?
or
Is it because the sipping of water allows food to pass faster through the pouch resulting in being able to eat MORE food in one setting?

If its habit, then it may take a little working on more self-control?

It its cause you're thirsty, then my suggestion is to drink a full 20 oz bottle/glass of water right before you eat... guzzle this water down right before you take your first bite. This WILL help with the thirst problems.

If its due to the last reason, well, I think that goes back to the self-control issue.

:D Good luck!

[Plainsneech]

Thanx guys. This is a toughie for me. I think its a combination of habit and I have always had 2-3 glasses of something with a meal so I love to drink. Just have to work harder i guess

[503-250]

Its definitely work, I used to sit down with a 52oz mug and drink all through my meal, now I stop drinking well before, and don't drink for 1 1/2 hours after...its not easy.

[diva girl]

I used to be like 503 - drank like a fiend during a meal. It's a difficult thing.

However, water and/or any liquid does just wash the food through your band, you know. It's defeating it and not letting it do its work. Give yourself and your band a break and eat somewhere away from the liquid source. Take your plate out onto your porch or anywhere where you can't get a glass of liquid. Just try a snack first and then graduate to a meal without liquid. You can do it.

[Plainsneech]

Thanx guys, you all are the best really !!

[LapBandit]

I don't know what my damage is. I was banded June 22, 2006. I have only lost 25 lbs. I have 2 cc's in a 4cc band. First fill 7/22 (1cc) and 2nd fill 9/29 (1cc) I am having a real problem with drinking during meals. I know that this is sabotaging me, any suggestions ?

I still struggle with this too sometimes. I try providing myself with something that I don't really enjoy drinking so that I only sip it if I truly HAVE to during the meal. Try unsweetened ice tea with no sweetener at all--yuck, but it works if I truly NEED a sip of something. (Other ideas, warm water...cold coffee...etc.) Maybe you can try something like this and eventually the need to have liquids with meals will go away.

I've also learned that drinking with meals really does make me hungry again much faster. Sometimes within minutes I'll want another bite and it's because I just washed the food out of my pouch. So...I really try to avoid drinking with meals now.

Good luck!

[M_Montes]

I agree with Kellie too, if you can drink comfortably with your meals you may not be tight enough. When I had good restriction there was NO way I could drink with my meals without horrible horrible pain felt like a toilet backing up. Not fun!

[Kathy]

I'm notoriously NOT TIGHT and I have no problem with being able to sip through a meal. This is just not a hard and fast rule I have been compelled to follow. But you see how slow my weight loss is, so I may not be a good example! :lol:

But, I'm only posting here because I want to tell you, plainsneech, how stunningly beautiful I think you are! WOW! :)