I'm only five days out but I'm already mourning being able to drink normally. More than anything else I want to chug a huge glass or icy cold Water.

Instead I have to take super teensy sips of lukewarm water with 1/2 tsp of crystal lite.

I can't live like this forever!! I feel like I need to brush the sweetness out of my mouth to protect my teeth hourly! Will I ever be able to drink normally again??

I am able to drink normally. I can almost chug! Give it time, you will probably be just fine.

I am six weeks out and I certainly can't yet. I can drink a couple gulps, but I get sick to my stomach almost immediately.

I wonder if attempting to gulp is your issue. I've forgotten to sip and done gulps a time or two- each time it was AWFUL!

The first week post op I could only sip, and I would be so full. It would take me almost 1 hour to drink 4 oz of broth. This all changed after the first week, I can now drink and drink, and I can take bigger sips; I can't gulp though, it hurts.

I'm 7 mo out and I can drink almost exactly like before surgery.

You will be able to drink normally. I certainly can. I don't gulp anything, even now, but its very normal in any other sense. Just keep sipping and you'll find that your intake will steadily increase.

Good new for you...YES you will drink normal again eventually

5 weeks out and drinking is much easier now. I can't gulp yet, but I can sip quickly. It is hard when you are really thirsty and you can't quench your thirst as quickly as you want to!

I take gulps all the time. I'm 4 months out. You will be able to also in due time.

Thank heavens!!

I'm 2 weeks out I can drink normally - I can't chug, but I can drink normally.

I can't chug like a used to, but I can gulp a lot of Water quickly when I want. I can gulp about a cup in a few seconds.

I was uncomfortable, tired, and busy sipping water and eating teeny bites for weeks after surgery but boy, was it worth it!!

Lynda

I was able to "drink normally" about a week after surgery. I still sip when I can, just to be smart. But when I'm walking, I need more than a sip. Every now and then I still get feedback that last gulp was "too much." But yes, it will go back to normal. I think the first week I brushed my teeth about five times a day to get rid of the sweetness that lingered. Always look forward to my broths at night to kill the cycle!

I posted this topic when I was about 3 weeks out. I'm now 3 months out and can drink alot larger gulp of fluid at one time! It does get better and you won't even notice that you are getting better...one day you will wake up and realize you are feeling more normal. I'm still not used to eating such small amounts for every meal or not drinking when I eat. Everyday gets better and better though.

By "chug" I mean I can take several gulps of water or clear drink at a time. I still drink other beverages, like my coffee mixed with protein, or a glass of wine, very slowly. I drink water and Powerade Zero while on the elliptical trainer, to quench thirst, and so that goes down much faster.