Hey all, I had the sleeve done back on 9/4/14. For the past week I have been sipping on water. How long did each of you have to do this before you could start drinking normally again? thanks.

the good news is that is a few weeks you will be able to drink a little more than small sips. the bad news is that you may never be able to drink a full glass at a time like you did in the past.

but on the other hand you will not have the need to drink an entire glass to calm your thirst

I got super dehydrated during months 2 and 3 because I had diarrhea and still couldn't keep up with drinking. But I could finally take pretty normal swallows without feeling uncomfortable at about 4 months out. I still cant chug a whole glass, though.

I'm really worried about this as I live in the tropics and we need to keep our fluids up. Also I'm a keen cyclist and worried if 80% of my stomach is missing how will I be able to keep hydrated while cycling 50-100km .. Guess this time next week ill know!

For Darwinlady33: I'm new to the gastric sleeve message boards, and still awaiting my surgery, but I am an avid cyclist. I don't know if you own one or not, but the camelbacks like the military use in the desert are great Water carriers you can put on your back (they look like a small backpack) and they hold a good quantity of water that you can sip thru a straw. They're not that expensive either. That may help when it comes to doing your long treks on the cycle.

Thanks.

Yup I use camel backs on long rides.. It's more the concern.. Drinking enough and having enough tummy to keep hydrated.. Guess it's the same if we swear allot just keep sipping :-)

I was always told by doctors and nurses that if you pinch the skin up on the back of your hand and if it doesn't tighten back up and relax back down with the rest of your skin right away, that you need more fluids. I don't know how much truth is in that, but it sounds logical. I've also read if you sweat a lot, you need to take in more fluids, so I would guess that amounts to more sipping and it sounds like you've got that covered!! Just be careful with your potassium levels......I found when I sweat or use the bathroom too much I have to take potassium supplements. I found out the hard way when I wound up in ICU when my blood potassium levels dropped too low.

Edited September 11, 201411 yr by 4LgrLife_53