What is all the fuss about drinking water to lose weight?

[Wendydarling19 310]

Okay so we all know that it is just healthy to stay hydrated whether you are trying to lose weight or not but why should we feel guilty if we don't meet our minimum daily requirement? I don't know if I have ever met my MDR and so far so good. I can see that it's supposed to keep you full thus making you eat less calories. That is a nice theory but that doesn't really work in reality. At least not for me anyway...when my stomach asks for food...it won't settle for less. Wondering about this, I decided to turn to good ol' google for some advice regarding this and this is what I came up with:

http://www.webmd.com/diet/news/20040105/drinking-water-may-speed-weight-loss

hmmm... interesting...looks like it only makes a VERY VERY small impact on weight loss.

What are everyon'es thoughts?

Edited April 21, 2014 by Wendydarling19

[WhoKnows 288]

I don't think the rational behind the MDR for Water is weight loss necessarily. I think it's that you're body simply functions better when you're hydrated, and the MDR helps everyone keep in mind what it takes to stay that way, especially since getting fluids in becomes more difficult after surgery.

[terry1118 1,274]

One factor is the fact that we can't drink much at a time, too quickly, or immediately before and after eating, especially in the early months following surgery. Dehydration is a very real problem and can be at the least, unpleasant, and at the worst, dangerous. It often results in an expensive ER visit.

Another factor is that, as you lose weight so quickly, a lot of toxins that are stored in fat are released into your system. Your liver works very hard to filter these from your body. Drinking plenty of fluids helps to flush these toxins out.

It is a well known inarguable fact that there are many benefits to staying well hydrated, whether you've had weight loss surgery or not. :-)

[kimk1999 450]

I know I don't hit my docs recommended minimum but I try. Since surgery my skin has been drier and even developed Patches of bad flaky dry spots. Now when I get closer to drinking the amount the doc wants the dryness is significantly reduced. I was definitely severely dehydrated and almost had to go to the ER. So I try to drink more now.

[kyleebean 209]

Luckily I have never had a problem getting fluids in.... If I try. I can easily get 80-100 per day. That being said, if I don't drink enough, I feel extremely light headed and dizzy. Sometimes, It feels like I'm going to pass out. I never had this prior to surgery. Do I think drinking helps my weight loss, eh, Maybe. However, I do know I don't feel good if I don't drink enough.

[LumpySpacePrincess 594]

Personally, I listen to my body when it comes to Water. If I'm thirsty, I drink. I don't always hit the MDR, in fact most days I don't. My personal minimum that I need to drink is about 32 ounces of Water. I don't lose faster or slower when I drink more, but I do notice I'm more sluggish and bloated when I drink the recommended 64 ounces per day. I think water, like anything else, is an individual thing, not a set point that they can say all people need to go by.

[Wendydarling19 310]

What I am saying is many many people on this forum are going around saying "water helps you lose weight" when the proof is right here. That is all.

[shmily 424]

The entire Bariatric TEAM that I had working with me told me the number one reason for re- admissions after surgery is because of dehydration!!!! The need for Water is NOT to help you lose wt but rather to keep you hydrated and keep you flushed. (Added benefit, less dry skin, and less constipation) Have you ever gotten a massage and afterwards they told you to drink lots of Water the rest of the day??? I AM A VERY STRONG ADVOCATE FOR MY OWN HEALTHCARE!!!!!

I am not an idiot and I do know that this is my doctors specialty, he put together an entire team to work with his patients . It is also common sense to drink water when the mouth is dry, which mine is most of the day. I drink water because I am thirsty, and by the time we are thirsty, we are already probably dehydrated. Also I live in ARIZONA!! It is hot. Nobody goes anywhere without taking water with them. Do I believe everything that comes out of my doctors mouth? If he told me to stand on my head and boil Beans in my butt, I probably would say "after you" but something as common sense as staying hydrated after having my guts rearranged makes sense to me. Your mileage may vary. Why did you post is you didn't want opinions????

[NMJG 1,266]

I personally find that I do not lose as well when I don't hit my Water minimums. I also need more than 64 oz a day because I live in the desert. Dehydration is bad stuff and I don't see why anyone would even consider risking it, but that's just my opinion, and I am not a doctor (I'm not even "in the medical field" teehee). If you want to go through all this effort, time and money for your sleeve to screw it up by not drinking enough Water, go for it. No judgement here.

Personally, if I'm going to screw up, it's going to be over something huge and wonderful and preferably involving alcohol and/or chocolate, not something lame like water LOL

[shmily 424]

I personally find that I do not lose as well when I don't hit my Water minimums. I also need more than 64 oz a day because I live in the desert. Dehydration is bad stuff and I don't see why anyone would even consider risking it, but that's just my opinion, and I am not a doctor (I'm not even "in the medical field" teehee). If you want to go through all this effort, time and money for your sleeve to screw it up by not drinking enough Water, go for it. No judgement here.

Personally, if I'm going to screw up, it's going to be over something huge and wonderful and preferably involving alcohol and/or chocolate, not something lame like water LOL

You go girl...and look at that wonderful weight loss!!!

[Wendydarling19 310]

The entire Bariatric TEAM that I had working with me told me the number one reason for re- admissions after surgery is because of dehydration!!!! The need for Water is NOT to help you lose wt but rather to keep you hydrated and keep you flushed. (Added benefit, less dry skin, and less constipation) Have you ever gotten a massage and afterwards they told you to drink lots of water the rest of the day??? I AM A VERY STRONG ADVOCATE FOR MY OWN HEALTHCARE!!!!! I am not an idiot and I do know that this is my doctors specialty, he put together an entire team to work with his patients . It is also common sense to drink water when the mouth is dry, which mine is most of the day. I drink water because I am thirsty, and by the time we are thirsty, we are already probably dehydrated. Also I live in ARIZONA!! It is hot. Nobody goes anywhere without taking water with them. Do I believe everything that comes out of my doctors mouth? If he told me to stand on my head and boil Beans in my butt, I probably would say "after you" but something as common sense as staying hydrated after having my guts rearranged makes sense to me. Your mileage may vary. Why did you post is you didn't want opinions????

So then explain yourself instead of merely saying "because your doctor said so since he is the one making the big bucks" because that makes you SOUND like an idiot whether or not you intended it that way or not. Also, my post was on the opinion of "drinking water TO LOSE WEIGHT" not drinking water in general, as I CLEARLY state, I know it is good to properly stay hydrated always. What I am trying to get at which many people failed to realize is that there are a ton of people on these forums advocating "drinking water helps you lose weight." Which is very minuscule in fact

[Alex Brecher 10,484]

Reminder about the rules everyone agreed to abide by when they signed up for membership:

http://www.bariatricpal.com/index.php?app=forums&module=extras&section=boardrules

[shmily 424]

Thank you!!

[jujubslim 95]

Here's a good article on why bariatric patients benefit from Water

http://www.bariatricchoice.com/water-bariatric-gastric-bypass-surgery-patients.aspx

[shmily 424]

That is a wonderful article and testimony. Thank you for posting it