I have a question for all of you vets (although anyone with experience or thoughts on this topic are most welcome). I am completely at peace with the food restrictions but I am very anxious about the drinking experience (I don't mean alcohol). There are few things more satisfying to me than chugging a nice cold beverage after a day in the sun or after a workout. I know small sips are the norm post-op but for how long? Will I ever be able to down Water when thirsty without getting sick?

I am really afraid I'll miss this.

I'm 14 months out.....and take regular swallows of Water.

It's simply a nonissue.

I'm three and a half years out and I can't chug. It kind of sucks, but it's not that big of a deal.

I was able to drink normally after a week and have been chugging for several months. Everyone will have their own experience.

I am just about three months out. This was probably my biggest fear right after the one about dying on the operating table. I am to the point now where I can knock back a 16 oz glass of Water in less than 10 minutes. I used to be able to chug a quart of water in minutes, but I am happy with where I am at. Regardless of how fast you can drink post op, you need to be prepared to think ahead about it. Becoming even slightly dehydrated and not being able to fix that quickly ranges from just uncomfortable to life threatening.

I know small sips are the norm post-op but for how long? Will I ever be able to down Water when thirsty without getting sick? I am really afraid I'll miss this.

You won't know until you get there.

Of all the things that can strike fear in one's life, is not being able to chug really on the list? Ask yourself whether, if you knew for sure that you'd never be able to chug again, you would cancel surgery. There's your answer.

I am 6 weeks out and don't necessarily chug, but am able to drink normally.

11/11/16: HW 380

11/28/16: Duodenal Switch Surgery

11/28/16: SW 374 lbs

12/24/16: CW 342 lbs

@@lacylou

The more you heal and the further out you are, the more you can drink.

I am 18 months and I can basically chug Water at almost pre-op levels. The time you have to sip and sip slowly is very short. The first 3 months. Then it gets better each month.

Don't worry about it, is annoying at first. I was really unhappy thinking I would never be able to chug water again. I can't drink 16 ounces in one breath like I used to it takes 2 now, but I am guessing by the 2 year mark, I will be able to do it in one.

Im almost 3 weeks post op (rny bypass). Since surgery, I prefer any drinks (water, protein shakes, etc...) to be slightly cool or even room temperature, especially first thing in the morning. Not sure why but cool water feels kind of weird going down. I'm probably drinking too much too fast.

I like to refill the "Smart Water" bottles. Since they are 22oz, I try to drink 2 per day.

Thank you for all of your very thoughtful responses.

Dub, saying it is a non-issue is reassuring, ty

Lip stick Lady, thanks for the "it's not a big deal"

Little Bill, guess that is the root of my concern, being very thirsty and not being able to quickly fix the situation with a quick drink but having to take time to fix the problem with little sips, I don't want to be dehydrated. Appears that the solution is just to keep drinking throughout the day to avoid extremes.

WLS Resource, you're right - I won't know until I get there but I would like to be prepared, that is why I asked WLS veterans for input. Perhaps my use of the word "afraid" was wrong; perhaps "concerned" would have been better. Please give me more credit - this issue would never prevent me from having the surgery. I have done a lot of preparation for this surgery and do not take it lightly at all. I am two weeks away and Water intake is going to be rough for me, but certainly not a deal breaker.

Appreciate all of your experience and thank you for all of your wonderful and honest responses!

@@WLSResources/ClothingExch

I'm gonna jump in and respond to you here, partly because I noted above that this was a huge fear of mine. I discussed it at length with my surgeon. I was never on disability. I never had a sedentary job tapping on a keyboard in a climate controlled environment. I have a very physically demanding job that often entails moving thousands of pounds of material in extreme (read HOT) environments. So yeah, not being able to rehydrate fast enough is a real concern for people who actually lose moisture faster than the norm. I've seen plenty of people pass out or get sick doing this kind of work, and none of THEM had a stomach restriction. And yes, the decision to go or not go with surgery hinged on that discussion with my surgeon.

Edited January 7, 20179 yr by LittleBill

Little Bill, guess that is the root of my concern, being very thirsty and not being able to quickly fix the situation with a quick drink but having to take time to fix the problem with little sips, I don't want to be dehydrated. Appears that the solution is just to keep drinking throughout the day to avoid extremes.

As I mentioned, this was a huge concern for reasons in my previous post. My surgeon was confident that I would be able to regain the ability to rehydrate quickly, and so far he has been right. But preparing for it by sipping is a good way to go until you find out for sure how your own system will respond.

I am a little over 4 months post-op and I can chug with no problem. But from reading posts on here previously, I think everyone has really different experiences.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G920A using the BariatricPal App