Gastric Sleeve Patients: The Liquid Restrictions

Sleeve Patients and the Liquid Restrictions - I answered this question for another group but feel it may be useful to others in our WLS Community as well:

The question is should Gastric Sleeve patients follow the liquid restrictions of no liquids with meals and no liquids before/after meals. First, as with all WLS advice patients must follow the advice of their specific bariatric centers, especially the first year following surgery.


What are the liquid restrictions?

Words from the expert:

In my research and writing about gastric sleeve I often turn to a leading expert, Dr. Guillermo Alvarez, who is one of the world's leading experts in the gastric sleeve procedure. In his copyright 2010 book "Successful Weight Loss with The Gastric Sleeve" he mentions the importance of the liquid restrictions four different times (pages 28, 36, 48, 50). He clearly defines the liquid restrictions on page 28: "Avoid combining liquids and solid foods. NEVER drink liquids when eating solid foods. Liquids should be avoided for a period of 15-30 minutes before and 30-45 minutes after eating solid food or meals." On page 36 he writes, "Do not consume liquids and solids at the same time. If you do, you could vomit. Sip fluids slowly 30-45 minutes after a meal. Stop drinking liquids 15-30 minutes before the next meal." Check out Dr. Alvarez's Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/endobariatric He is an incredible resource for sleeve patients at all stages pre- and post-operative. Sleeve patients will benefit from reading his book and he's got another one in the works!

The other resource I use in my research and writing about the sleeve is patients themselves. Patients who enjoy the greatest lasting success using the sleeve as a tool follow the liquid restrictions day in and day out. Patients who come to me crying and heartbroken because they've regained weight admit they have long since abandoned the liquid restrictions.

I hope this helps with your question and provides some "food for thought" for our WLS Sleevers.

 Get Dr. Alvarez's book "Successful Weight Loss with the Gastric Sleeve"