Hi I'm 3 weeks post op and sip, sip my fluids.

Does this ever stop?

Will I eventually be able to take a 'gulp' of fluid?

If so when were you able to gulp down your fluids?

I don't know if gulping will ever be a great idea but you will be able to drink as the swelling goes down.

Nope, gulping is part of the pact we made with the Devil, I mean surgeon..

Seriously, that is what many people list as what they really miss post -op, chugging, gulping, etc.

It's true, we'll be able to drink more normally, but gulping in the dictionary sense of the word? No...

I can certainly take a satisfying gulp if I want to. Just not more than a couple or I'm full, lol. That passes quickly though. Water/liquid moves right through.

I can drink normally. Just not chug a 16 oz glass of Water without stopping. Those days are over.

This is after fully healed, of course ????. And not right before or after I eat. I follow the food rules given to me.

I don't miss the days of having to sip 1 oz of Water no faster than every 15 mins. I can drink normal now, but chugging is not likely to happen.

I can drink normally now. I can even gulp. Now I can't gulp down a whole 16oz bottle, but I can gulp half of one.

I can drink normal and have been able to probably since 6 months out. I don't gulp because that introduces air and air hurts like hell even now.

I also use a straw and have learned to drink without sucking air.

Yes, before anyone scolds me, my team knows I am drinking from a straw. I had cervical spinal fusion of 3 levels making it difficult to drink from a cup without a straw and then I just kept doing it. I have never had a problem with the straw either.

I've been able to drink the same post op as I could before. As long as I only take one drink then there's no discomfort. If I took 3 in a row, that would probably be ugly. But the careful sipping of immediate post op, does get easier and more natural.

I can gulp but I cannot chug. I am also a straw drinker, so don't run into this problem much.