Expert: Cathy Wilson, ACC-ICF, CLC - 6/8/2009

Question
Cathy,

I had RNY surgery 5.5 years ago and went from 525lbs to 285.  
In the past three years it has crept back up to 345lbs.  I
was reading your answer to someone about distracting
yourself with a list of things to do when you emotionally
eat and I noticed something you said.  I have cut and pasted
it here "For example, for March, stop drinking with your
meals (if you are); for April, take your vitamins' for
May..."

My question is this.  Should I not be drinking when I eat?  
Nobody has ever told me that if it is something I should not
be doing.  If I shouldn't why?

Thank you
Rod

Answer
Hi Rod,

Thanks for your e-mail and letting me know that you have read my prior posts.  I hope they have been informative to you.

It is best that you stop drinking anything 30 minutes before your meal, do not drink anything with your meal, and allow 30-60 minutes after your meal before you start drinking.  The reason for this is that you want your food to stay in your pouch as long as possible.  If you drink with your meals and after, the liquid essentially flushes the food through your pouch. If the food doesn't stay in your pouch due to being flushed through you will get hungrier sooner and won't experience the feeling of satiety (fullness) that you'll get otherwise.  

Think of your pouch as a funnel.  When you eat, the food sits at the bottom of your funnel.  If you've eaten lean protein along with healthy food choices, the food will stay in your pouch longer and s-l-o-w-l-y empty out.  In that period of time, you'll experience that sense of satiety which is what we want.  If you drink with your meals (or after), you'll flush the food through your funnel/pouch.  

I will tell you that this has been hard for me.  Before surgery, I drank with my meals.  It was just a habit.  Drinking with meals is merely a habit.  It is one of the habits that we need to change when we've had surgery to fully maximize the surgery.  I can't tell you that I don't drink occasionally with a meal but it is merely a couple of sips if a food is dry.  I can tell the difference in how much longer I feel full.

I hope that helps.  Big congratulations to you on your success.  As you try to relose the weight you have regained (which is common), just remember that you lost it once and you can and will lose it again.

Believe In Yourself,
Cathy, CLC
Certified Life Coach, Weight Loss Surgery Coach
Certified Back On Track Facilitator