I'm 4 days post-op and can only drink about 3 ounces before I feel like my pouch is going to pop. Then it is a couple of hours before I can sip anything else. I'm really trying to get the liquid and protein required down but this is miserable. The fullness combined with the terrible gas pains is taking an emotional toll on me this morning.

Trust me, it gets better. You are at one of the hardest stages you will have to go through. You have just had major surgery! I know it's hard, but try not to put too much pressure on yourself, or on your pouch, at this point. How long are you taking to drink that 3 ounces? It should take you at least 45 minutes according to my plan to drink that much right now. I am almost four weeks out and still have to work hard everyday take it in my minimum of 48 ounces. My body desperately needs 64 ounces but I have yet to be able to attain that goal. Take a deep breath, remember the end goal, and relax a little bit. You can do this! Slow and steady and you'll make it!

Also remember that you have swelling in your ouch and sphincter.

Edited May 16, 201511 yr by OregonTeacher

I love how we all handle things so differently. I feel like i am so out of touch with my pouch fullness. I am nine days postop, I have had no trouble eating a 5oz yogurt, Im worried that my pouch is too BIG and that I'll never lose the weight! I was hoping for more of an obvious restricted feeling. wanna trade?

I am 5 days post-op and get that very full feeling if I drink to much to fast too. I am literally keeping a water bottle in my hand all day and sipping all day. I get full the fastest and feel the worst when I am drinking the protein shakes bc they are the thickest. I think it is all a work in progress and we need to take time to get to know what works best for our own pouches.

Im 5 days post op and keep a big smart water bottle with me and end up sipping it through out the day, I have to make myself drink a protein shake

Your stomach is swollen from surgery. It isn't easy at first to sip the liquids because of that feeling. I am 24 days out and I am able to drink most of the day without any problem. Cold Water hurts my pouch and I can't seem to take pills very well because they catch in my throat but otherwise my stomach is handling everything really well. Don't overdo it. Take maybe 1oz sip every 10-15 minutes. You won't get as much liquid and Protein down. I went back to the hospital two days later with a fever of 101.4 and dehydrated. It gets much better though once the swelling inside goes down!! Stick to your plan your surgery center wants you to do. I lived off sugar free popsicles! They were so much easy to get down than even water.

11 Days post op and water got really easy for me after day 4 - I can do 64oz almost every day and sometimes a little over - I asked info could infuse my water with some fruit, mint cucumbers, lemon and got the ok so the water is a bit more fun. I too worry that I can tolerate too much food already ( all puréed so far) maybe I'll get that more full feeling quicker when I get to more solids??