I'm now 9 days post op, and I know it's early, but I'm concerned that I'm never going to be able to drink fast again...I've always been a gulper, and this whole sipping thing is REALLY difficult. Is this something that changes as you heal or no? When I take to big of a sip, or take more than one in a row, I get a gas bubble. It goes away fairly quickly, but it isn't pleasant...

I'm also curious, how long until everyone was able to use straws? I'm also a straw user and not using that and not gulping is making drinking a pain...I just seem to forget.

Everyone is different but for the most part no, you will not always sip. I started taking in around 2oz every 15min within a week to 10 days (mind you it seems maybe my swelling went down faster than average, because there were a lot of things I could do earlier than most) within 2-3 weeks I was taking 8-16oz an hour as needed. I am better with straws, and if your surgeon is against straws I am not encouraging you to go against their wishes but it did work better for me. The first time you take a drink that is too big YOU WILL regret it. It hurts and if you are anything like me you have the second swallow down before the pain hits and there is no going back. I have no fluid restriction, I can take a swallow that is too big but they are few and far between. I am 7 maybe 8 weeks post op.

Edited October 27, 201312 yr by Macy6

Thanks for this topic. I have 7 days before my surgery.

Is it worth getting one of the new Water bottles that measures and records the Fluid consumed?

Good health and fast recovery to you all.

Im 4 months out and have no trouble with straws...and i gulp alot makes me burp but the gas bubble goes away quickly for me

I drink just fine now, but I try to not gulp. I was drinking out of the straw the other day at a restaurant and forgot that I'm not supposed to. I had no pain. I'm not a fan of pain, so I try to avoid it. :-). I purchased camelback squeeze water bottle and those are working great. I do my best to follow the rules, but I let my own common sense lead me. Everyone is different.

I'm now 9 days post op, and I know it's early, but I'm concerned that I'm never going to be able to drink fast again...I've always been a gulper, and this whole sipping thing is REALLY difficult. Is this something that changes as you heal or no? When I take to big of a sip, or take more than one in a row, I get a gas bubble. It goes away fairly quickly, but it isn't pleasant...

I'm also curious, how long until everyone was able to use straws? I'm also a straw user and not using that and not gulping is making drinking a pain...I just seem to forget.

My surgery was on 8/16/2011.... It took me a good six months before I could drink more then 2 ounces without it being painful. Now I can drink about 8 ounces in about 5 minutes, or even less if I want to. I was a huge gulper of water prior to surgery. It was the only way I felt quenched before. You will be able to gulp again....how long it takes varies of course, because we are all different, but it will happen for you in do time. good luck!

I was lucky, I could gulp and chug very soon after surgery.

I like sipping, at 1st it as awful but now I like it. I used to down 20 oz in a matter of sec after a work out. Back then I could pound 3 mc doubles down in about an min too. So my sips remind me to take it easy and I have a new life And a new way of doing things .

Thanks for this topic. I have 7 days before my surgery. Is it worth getting one of the new water bottles that measures and records the fluid consumed? Good health and fast recovery to you all.

That was helpful to me in the beginning.

I am post op 3 weeks and have been sipping, sipping, sipping then all of a sudden this week and can take alot larger sips which has b een awesome it does get better

I also found that ice chips are delicious for some reason I can a big sip with ice and let the ice melt in my mouth so refreshing!

I'm 10 months post op and still can't gulp which stinks when you're very thirsty but the ice chips do help. I love them.

I had LOTS of trouble with fluid at first after surgery. Now, at 6.5 weeks out I can take 3 drags at once. I was like lots of others that slammed down fluids like nothing lol Every week or so I notice I can take in more fluid. Im sure if you keep at it, it will get better