I am about 3/4 through the pre-op process and I'm getting cold feet. I normally do not drink much water (zero calory beverage) in the course of a day. The idea of forcing myself to drink 64 oz of water each day for the rest of my life is very oppressive. I would really like to hear from post-op people about the water drinking requirement. Is 64 oz just another one of those exaggeration of precautions that medical people constantly give out or is it real?

Heya Mike, welcome to the Vertical Sleeve forums!!!

For me, I've always been a good Water drinker. Matter of fact I really love just plain water. I can leave the crystal lights or other drinks by the wayside. I have to force myself to drink the Powerade Zeros when I need the electrolytes, I just rather have water.

I think it's just a matter of getting used to it. 64 oz is for me the bare minimum per day. I absolutely will force myself to drink up until I get to 64 oz toward the end of the day if I realize I've neglected my intake, which is pretty rare. I really like to get no less than 80 oz and prefer 128 oz which is one gallon. In my losing phase I definitely remain around 1 gallon per day.

Hang in there! Please note it will be VERY difficult if you are in the majority just post op to get 64 oz in. I wasn't even able to do it until about a month out. I struggled a lot, just now it's normal though. Do your best and you'll be a-ok!

I am four-ish months out and I still have issues drinking Water. I really have to remind myself to go drink a glass throughout the day. I'd say I average throughout the week maybe 50-55 oz a day.

Diva - Do you find that drinking more water helps with your weight loss? (when you were losing)

In my losing phase I definitely remain around 1 gallon per day.

Hey there, i'm just over a year out and I still struggle to get my Water in! I get really bad heartburn from plain ol' water. So I add stuff to it, like Crystal Lite, or Iced Tea mix, anything to make it go down easier. The only thing I can absolutely tell you is to do your best. We are human, and the Drs give us guidelines, they want us to try to get a minimum of 64 oz, that includes ALL liquids, not just the cups of water you consume. You count the Jello you eat, the ice pops you suck on, the Soup broth you eat, they all count towards your total ounces at the end of the day! See that was easy!

I keep a 20 oz cup of what ever (lately it is the Arnold Palmer 1/2 lemon aide 1/2 iced tea) with me at all times. 3 of those, plus my coffee and hot tea in the morning and I'm good for the day. But I also usually have soup for lunch, and a jello for a snack in the evening, or a sugar free ice pop. so I am over my 64. It really isn't that hard!

I am four-ish months out and I still have issues drinking Water. I really have to remind myself to go drink a glass throughout the day. I'd say I average throughout the week maybe 50-55 oz a day.

Diva - Do you find that drinking more water helps with your weight loss? (when you were losing)

Absolutely yes! I noticed that the more water I was drinking, the more the weight was coming off. It is a real energy booster too. Staying well hydrated and I feel full of good energy and health. Bonus too, it's excellent for the skin! I've been lucky in that my skin has bounced back well, considering I've lost over 150 Lbs.