Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Quick question about drinking



Recommended Posts

I will be 10 days post-op Sunday and today I noticed that I can drink my liquids a lot and I do mean LOT more. :blink:

In the last few days it took all I had to drink 16 ounces yet today I wake up and immediately drink almost 6 oz. then a few mins later another 4-5 oz. This evening I drank almost 8 oz. of broth and got scared because my pouch is supposed to only hold 4 oz.. All together today I have drank 38 oz almost double and am beginning to worry if something is wrong. I do notice my shakes cause less intake than clears but is it okay to be able to drink so much clear?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I think that is fairly normal as your swelling goes down. It's a good thing ;)

I will be 10 days post-op Sunday and today I noticed that I can drink my liquids a lot and I do mean LOT more. :blink:

In the last few days it took all I had to drink 16 ounces yet today I wake up and immediately drink almost 6 oz. then a few mins later another 4-5 oz. This evening I drank almost 8 oz. of broth and got scared because my pouch is supposed to only hold 4 oz.. All together today I have drank 38 oz almost double and am beginning to worry if something is wrong. I do notice my shakes cause less intake than clears but is it okay to be able to drink so much clear?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

My doctor requires his patients to drink 64 oz per day right after surgery due to danger of dehydration. I was sipping constantly but I got it in. This was Water only. The other liquids like broth and Protein Drinks didn't count. So no 38 oz isn't too much and I agree your swelling has probably gone down quickly. Water moves through stomach pretty quickly.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Okay so this is kind of easy to explain:

You do not have a pouch so liquids are not going to sit in your stomach. You have the same anatomy just smaller in size which means the liquids go in, hit your pyloric valve and empty into your intestines. As your swelling decreases, you will be able to consume liquids faster without any issue. I can now chug liquids without issue.

Think of your stomach as the Kitchen sink, look at the drain. Dump Clear Liquids in and they go right through, dump in some thicker liquids like Soup, or cottage cheese, and it goes through slower, then think refried Beans or eggs even slower, and then dump some chewed up meats down on that drain and it's gonna take forever to go through. That's exactly how our stomach and pyloric valve works with food consistency going down into your intestines.

Nothing is wrong with your stomach. It's normal for liquids to be easier to drink as time progresses, it's a good sign you are healing.

Your stomach is not going to hold onto liquids because it's a stomach not a pouch. At almost 23 months out, I can eat more than 4oz of food, and so can many others. Your final sleeve size will not be determined until you are closer to a year out. It all depends on your stomach length, and surgical technique. I can also eat 6-8oz of mushy foods per meal especially if I stretch my meal out, and chew everything to mush. I know very few people that are over 1 year out that can only eat 4oz of food per meal unless they only eat dense Protein, and even then, they can fit in a couple ounces of veggies or starches.

Do not panic. You need 64oz of clear fluids per day so you keep pushing fluids so you don't get dehydrated.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I am aware of the minimum required but from researching, I estimated it would take some time to work up to that. Thanks for the assurance it's not too soon to be doing so. That's why I love this forum, always someone willing to help :D Guess I will drink a little more as I am now up to 44. Maybe I will even get close before I go to bed lol.

Thx again!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

now you all have me concerned.. I have 8 ounces of broth 3x a day and maybe 4 Popsicle the entire day and i milk a 16oz bottle of Water all day long with crystal light there is NO way I'm even near 64oz

UGH.... how will I know if I'm dehydrated.. I've not learned or 'felt' the resistance yet...all I know is I'm still losing weight and I think I feel ok.. :)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Okay so this is kind of easy to explain:

You do not have a pouch so liquids are not going to sit in your stomach. You have the same anatomy just smaller in size which means the liquids go in, hit your pyloric valve and empty into your intestines. As your swelling decreases, you will be able to consume liquids faster without any issue. I can now chug liquids without issue.

Think of your stomach as the Kitchen sink, look at the drain. Dump Clear Liquids in and they go right through, dump in some thicker liquids like Soup, or cottage cheese, and it goes through slower, then think refried Beans or eggs even slower, and then dump some chewed up meats down on that drain and it's gonna take forever to go through. That's exactly how our stomach and pyloric valve works with food consistency going down into your intestines.

Nothing is wrong with your stomach. It's normal for liquids to be easier to drink as time progresses, it's a good sign you are healing.

Your stomach is not going to hold onto liquids because it's a stomach not a pouch. At almost 23 months out, I can eat more than 4oz of food, and so can many others. Your final sleeve size will not be determined until you are closer to a year out. It all depends on your stomach length, and surgical technique. I can also eat 6-8oz of mushy foods per meal especially if I stretch my meal out, and chew everything to mush. I know very few people that are over 1 year out that can only eat 4oz of food per meal unless they only eat dense Protein, and even then, they can fit in a couple ounces of veggies or starches.

Do not panic. You need 64oz of clear fluids per day so you keep pushing fluids so you don't get dehydrated.

Great analogy Tiff, as always.smile.gif

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

now you all have me concerned.. I have 8 ounces of broth 3x a day and maybe 4 Popsicle the entire day and i milk a 16oz bottle of Water all day long with crystal light there is NO way I'm even near 64oz

UGH.... how will I know if I'm dehydrated.. I've not learned or 'felt' the resistance yet...all I know is I'm still losing weight and I think I feel ok.. :)

As you add more and more Protein it is more and more important to drink your Water so as to help your kidneys. I would really try to keep increasing it as you get further out. Weight loss is awesome but you are in this for the lon haul and you have to keep your body healthy- get your water and your supplements and your Protein.< /p>

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

now you all have me concerned.. I have 8 ounces of broth 3x a day and maybe 4 Popsicle the entire day and i milk a 16oz bottle of Water all day long with crystal light there is NO way I'm even near 64oz

UGH.... how will I know if I'm dehydrated.. I've not learned or 'felt' the resistance yet...all I know is I'm still losing weight and I think I feel ok.. :)

Just keep sipping chickee. Symptoms of dehydration are dark, stinky urine, nausea, and you can pinch the skin on the back of your hand, and if it doesn't fall back into place immediately dehydration is setting in. Aim for 2oz of clear fluids every 15 minutes, over an 8 hour period, you will hit 64oz of fluids using that method.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Just keep sipping chickee. Symptoms of dehydration are dark, stinky urine, nausea, and you can pinch the skin on the back of your hand, and if it doesn't fall back into place immediately dehydration is setting in. Aim for 2oz of clear fluids every 15 minutes, over an 8 hour period, you will hit 64oz of fluids using that method.

Tiff..you amaze me! You should be a traveling VSG motivational speaker.. you said on a blog you felt you lost YOU...this is what YOU should be doing as a profession girl :)

ok good news I'm NOT dehydrated.. YEAH ME! ... I don't sip though.. dammit why can't I sip... I don't have problems drinking maybe I should be concerned?

i mean I don't gulp but I can just drink like normal .. everyone says to sip sip sip I drink drink drink LOL

I feel some kind of displaced.. I was having the lapband knew everything about it but my dr changed me the day before saying he really didn't feel it would be good for me and wanted me to really think before surgery... so I said do it then.. you know these better than I do.. DO IT... now I know NOTHING about VSG not enough time to learn before surgery but I trusted my surgeon an so glad I did cause I've lost 14lbs since surgery :) But I still feel lost.

I'm going to keep drinking.. he told me that on Tuesday he wants me to go to cottage cheese / yogurt / Tomato Soup etc.. I can't wait I LOVE CC and Yogurt and so burned out on broth :(

Thanks for all the great info.. I'm slowing trying to learn it all... just scared of messing up.. I'm 50 I realize I've lived my life but dammit I want 50 more!! :)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Agree with starry Tiff, have you thought about doing something professionally? Your advice is always spot on, non-judgmental and most important for me, easy to understand!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • Doughgurl

      2 days until I fly out to San Diego to have my Bypass Surg. in Tiajuana Mexico. Not gonna lie, the nerves are starting to surface. I don't fear the surgery itself, or the fact that I'm traveling alone, but its the aftermath that I'm stressing about the most, after this 8 week wait. I'm excited to finally be here, but I am really dreading the post surgical chapter. I know its going to be tough, real tough and I think I'm just in my head to much now that the day i here. Wish me luck, Hopefully I'm one of the lucky ones, and everything goes smoothly. Cant wait to give an exciting update,. If there is anyone else have a June bypass or even a recent one, Id love to have someone to compare war stories with. Also, anyone near San Antonio Tx? See ya soon with the future me. 💜
      · 1 reply
      1. Phil Penn

        Good Luck this procedure is well worth it I am down to 249.6 lb please continue with the process..

    • LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 2 replies
      1. Selina333

        I'm so happy for you! You are about to change your life. I was so glad to get the sleeve done in Dec. I didn't have feelings of regret overall. And I'm down almost 60 lbs. I do feel a little sad at restaurants. I can barely eat half a kid's meal. I get adults meals often because kid ones don't have the same offerings at times. Then I feel obligated to eat on that until it's gone and that can be days. So the restaurant thing isn't great for me. All the rest is fine by me! I love feeling full with very little. I do wish I could drink when eating. And will sip at the end. Just a strong habit to stop. But I'm working on it! You will do fine! Just keep focused on your desire to be different. Not better or worse. But different. I am happy both ways but my low back doesn't like me that heavy. So I listened (also my feet!). LOL! Update us on your journey! I'm not far from you. I'm in Houston. Good luck and I hope it all goes smoothly! Would love to see pics of the town you go to for this. I've never been there. Neat you will be traveling for this! Enjoy the journey. Take it one day at a time. Sometimes a few hours at a time. Follow all recommendations as best you can. 💗

      2. Doughgurl

        Thank you so much for your well wishes. I am hoping that everything goes easy for me as well. We don't eat out much as it is, so it wont be too bad in that department. Thankfully. Also, I hear you regarding your back and feet!! I'd like to add knees to the list. Killing me as we speak! I'm only 5' so the weight has to go. Too short to carry all this weight. Menopause really did a doosey on me. (😶lol) My daughter also lives in Houston. with her Husband and my 5 grand-littles. I grew up in Beaumont, so I know Houston well, I will be sure to keep in touch and update you on my journey. I may need some advice in the future, or just motivation. Thank You so much for reaching out, I was hoping to connect with someone in the community. I really appreciate it. 💜

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×