Okay, let me just start off by saying.... I haven't gulped since I was banded two weeks ago, BUTTTTT... I

am BEYOND tempted to! I have been timing my sips and made sure I don't take down too much, but seriously,

how am I supposed to get my daily fluids with this sipping?

My main question is, how many minutes do you wait in between sips of Water?

I have read that many people still drink the same way they used to, but wouldn't that hurt the band?

I'm just full of questions today! Thanks in advance for any help!

Staight liquids go straight through you will be able to drink normally.

In the beginning you need to sip because your swelling makes the stoma really narrow. As the swelling subsides, you can take larger sips and swallows. I drink normally now-- well, except for first thing in the morning.

I overall am a normal drinker at 16 months out but use to gulp as well. But I promise you, once you reach restriction, that gulp will put pressure on your stomach and it will feel like a big, painful burp bubble. Though it is rare to get stuck on water, if I drink to big of a swallow after eating, it can cause too much pressure and feel stuck and make me pb.

I had a hard time wrapping my brain around this little sip thing too, and I am only about 6 days post-op but I am drinking out of 1oz medicine cups, finishing them in about 10 minutes..and that has helped me be more mindful of taking little sips. And today while in the car, I didn't have access to my medicine cups and only had my bottle of water and I found myself automatically taking small sips. It's all abotu retraining ourselves.. Maybe that will help for you?

I had a hard time wrapping my brain around this little sip thing too, and I am only about 6 days post-op but I am drinking out of 1oz medicine cups, finishing them in about 10 minutes..and that has helped me be more mindful of taking little sips. And today while in the car, I didn't have access to my medicine cups and only had my bottle of water and I found myself automatically taking small sips. It's all abotu retraining ourselves.. Maybe that will help for you?

11 months out here, and I drink normally. There are times I take a big gulp and I totally feel it and realize I need to chill a bit. But haven't had liquids stuck.... all systems normal for drinking since day 1 after banding for me

You can gulp... water goes right through, even food only sits in the pouch for a few minutes...

I am a little over a week out and I am a gulper!! I still get to gulp. It took me awhile to relax about it too. You just have to try and then make changes if you need to! Good luck!

I use a straw which helps me take smaller sips......

I drink normally now except for first thing in the morning. The only habit I had trouble with was the drinking while eating.