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The Reason Behind the Advice
Many individuals undergoing VSG (vertical sleeve gastrectomy) may have come across the suggestion to avoid drinking water during meals. You might be wondering if it’s really that important and why. In this article, we’ll explore the rationale behind this advice and provide tips from fellow sleeve patients to help you break this habit.
The Impact of Drinking While Eating
There is a common belief that gastric sleeve patients should refrain from consuming liquids until after they finish meals. One reason for this is that water can fill up the stomach, leading to a reduced intake of calories. This is partially true, as patients with smaller stomachs after the surgery may struggle to consume enough calories. However, the main issue lies in the opposite effect: drinking while eating or immediately afterward can push the food through the sleeve too quickly, causing hunger sensations to return prematurely.
Understanding the Funnel Effect
To grasp the consequences of drinking during a meal, it’s helpful to witness the effects firsthand. Several informative videos circulating on the web demonstrate what we call the funnel effect. These videos reveal how just a few sips of water can impact the food within your smaller stomach. When you sip a liquid, it propels the food to the lower part of your stomach, bypassing the upper portion where nerve endings signal satiety. Consequently, you start feeling hungry again sooner than expected.
Breaking the Eating-While-Drinking Habit
Breaking habits is no easy feat, but fellow sleeve patients have shared useful strategies to overcome the urge to drink during meals:
- Peggy suggests leaving your drink in a separate location from where you eat.
- When dining out, Tonya advises requesting that the server refrains from bringing water. At home, she simply avoids setting up a drink for herself.
- Cindy highlights the discomfort she experiences if she drinks while eating, stating that it inevitably leads to feeling sick.
- Liana emphasizes the importance of scheduling water consumption and meal times. Without proper planning, she finds herself both famished and extremely thirsty, forcing her to prioritize between the two needs.
- Finally, Mary, who underwent the vertical sleeve gastrectomy 19 months ago, offers hope to those struggling with the habit. She explains that as time goes on, she has developed a distaste for drinking during meals, which she had grown accustomed to in the past.
Managing Water Intake with Restrictions
It’s understandable to wonder how to meet daily water intake requirements with the additional restriction of not drinking during meals and for approximately 30 minutes afterwards. Here are two practical suggestions:
- Limit snacking to allow ample time between meals for drinking. By spacing out meals, you create clear windows for hydration.
- Follow the example of the experienced sleeve patient mentioned earlier. Plan your meals strategically, ensuring you have dedicated time for sipping water.
Individual Variances
As with many aspects of vertical sleeve gastrectomy, experiences vary among patients. Some individuals find it uncomfortable to eat within 30 to 45 minutes after a meal, while others feel no discomfort, especially as time goes on. Additionally, the effect of drinking a few sips during a meal may differ from person to person. Ultimately, avoiding water during and immediately after meals can greatly support your goals after undergoing gastric sleeve surgery in Mexico.
For more information on vertical sleeve gastrectomy and other related topics, visit 5 WS, your go-to resource for comprehensive knowledge.
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