How long does it take for liquid to pass through your stomach? and is 4 - 6 ounces really the limit if you are sipping? I was advised to sip 1 ounce for every 10 minutes. is this what most of you do? is it easier after restriction?

I can drink normally, I have had a 20oz propel in an hour no problem. Are you newly banded? I was told by my doctor the same thing post-op, he said it was so that people with swelling made sure to get in the minimum fluids for the day. If I could drink more go ahead. I had little swelling and was drinking warm tea with ease. However if I drink something cold, my band feels much tighter. I usually have a cup of hot tea prior to meals. ~Mandy

Hydration is tyhe biggest surprise to me after surgery. I find myself staying very thristy despite sipping the whole day. not to mention in the morning i wake up with "dry mouth." a lot of the swelling has gone down already and i think i get my first fill tomorow. I just want to see what other people who have had this done are doing.

No Way! I drink when I am thristy and even when I'm not! :eek:

Liquids go right through the band, it's not going to hurt you. But, if your doctor set a limit on your liquids then you should follow his/her rules.

thanks, good to know. is there a time limit on how long after a meal it would be ok to drink normally? I mean I dont plan on chugging or anything like that, i just dont want to worry about pushing food through before it goes through on it's own.

I was told 30-45 mins. Others have been told upto an hour and a half. That seems excessive to me, 90 mins 3 times a day, would make it hard for me to get my 64 oz in each day. Think about it, if you are awake 16 hours a day and not supposed to drink for 30 mins prior to a meal and 90 mins after a meal, that's 2 hours plus the time it takes to eat. So 2 hours 20 mins, times 3 is 7 hours of not drinking. And I was told nothing for an hour and a half before bed, that is 8 and a half hours of not drinking. Leaving only 7 and a half left for all those liquids. Not gonna happen. I try for 15 before meals, and 30 after. It has worked for me so far. ~Mandy

good lord 64 oz.! I was told to do 48 oz per day...given i was a 64 oz drinker before hand, but WOW...well thank you. this will be much easier for me knowing i CAN drink liquids normally, the food part has not been to bad lately. three meals 4 oz, i can do it. i have only allowed myself a "snack" like three times since the surgery, but other than that i feel pretty good. thank.