eating & drinking together

[KfromUK]

hi all

Is anyone able to drink whilst eating? I’m 3yrs post IL and have to wait at least 45 mins after eating before I have a small drink. Is this common?

Thanks

K

[Alireza123]

Yes, this is common

[petercaron]

I am 5 years post esophagectomy and I have no issue and never did have an issue of drinking while I am eating. I have heard others on this site say they can’t drink until after they finish eating. I believe it causes dumping for many.

[Molly14]

hi K - I’m 7yrs post op and I always have a glass of cranberry juice with meals as it helps take the food down - I’ve never had any problems although I do it slowly sip at a time - things like this are worth persevering with and trying - I’ve found all the way through its trial and error and try again - took me 3yrs to conquer garlic bread - all the best

[KfromUK]

hi Molly.. thanks for your reply. I experienced really bad dumping not long after the op and that put me off eating and drinking together completely!

However lately I’m not sure I’m getting enough fluids and after food I’m naturally thirsty so it’s really frustrating.

Interesting about garlic bread. I find anything with that ‘gloopy’ texture can be a bit of a problem and sometimes these textures can bring on mild dumping

I tell myself to try different things but I’m so reluctant to bring on dumping I avoid even sips!

K

[Molly14 in reply to KfromUK]

I totally understand that K as I’ve been there but try hard not to let the mind take over - it really was try, try, try and try again with me - I had awful dumping first few years and still do occasionally but no where near as much - I can eat and drink pretty much anything now - it’s a long recovery journey and for me still a roller coaster - all the best

[KfromUK in reply to Molly14]

thanks Molly… you’re wisdom is appreciated.

A roller coaster indeed.

All the very best to you too… x

[SurreyGuy]

Hello there. 15 years post-op here. It depends on so many variables. If I go out for dinner I can drink as much wine as anyone else. This is because its all so much slower. But eating at home and drinking is more challenging so I now tend to split the two. I usually have one of those small tins of mixer drinks (bubbles are no problem for me) about 30 minutes later. As for snacks… one thing for sure is cake and milk based coffee is almost certainly going to end up with dumping, but cake and black coffee much less likely. There is also an element of activity involved around meal time.

[KfromUK in reply to SurreyGuy]

hi

How interesting… and how I’d love a glass of wine with my food!!!☺️☺️

K

[Spikey]

Hi K. I'm 15 years post-surgery and I still can't mix solids and liquids, except that, like SurreyGuy, I can drink wine with a meal. I've no idea why wine is the exception. I can't drink beer or water with a meal, or even drink tea with a piece of cake, without becoming bloated. Normally, I drink first and then eat 10-15 minutes later. And I don't drink for at least an hour after eating. I've got used to it after so long and just accept it.

[purplekey]

hi I think you need to drink more if you are thirsty. I suppose how much you can drink depends on the size of your stomach. Mine is tiny and I can drink sips of any clear fluid with food. But I only have say a cup of tea half an hour after I have finished eating. As sometimes eating takes a long time it’s important to plan and fit your drinks in so you don’t get dehydrated. I still find it hard 18 months after my op. I try to drink at night too if I wake up but I do sleep upright to prevent reflu. Strangly my taste has only just come back for many food/drinks, particularly wine. Good luck. X

[Cavalier3]

Hi K strangely like surreyguy and spikey have said I can also drink red wine no problem with food. Apart from that the only thing I can drink and eat at the same time is anything fizzy! I actually drink something fizzy as ut seems to help remove trapped wind! Hot drinks, water are a no no for me with food.

[grandylynda]

yes, 5 years on I still can't eat and drink together but can drink sooner after a small snack than a meal. As for wine, it has never tastes right since surgery. That and black coffee just taste awful

[liz_crisp]

I drink wine with meals socially or Prosecco I find bubbles help. But yes it does make dumping more likely as does eating too quickly or moving around after eating for me. But everyone is different x.