I’m four days post-op (sleeved 3/14) and mindlessly drank an entire 32 oz bottle of Water in 10 minutes while engaged in a conversation. In that moment, I completed forgot to take small sips and wait. Does anyone have any opinions on the long-term damage I might have caused doing this (such as stretching out my stomach)? Anyone else at this stage of post-op finding it easier to drink large portions of fluids than expected? I appreciate your feedback.

You cannot stretch your sleeve. But you need to slow down because you are healing - it takes 6 months to totally heal - but at 4 days you have considerable inflammation and should not take chances like this. I am surprised you had no pain from slugging this down so quickly. One good thing, you are not in danger of dehydration. But try to be more mindful.

You cannot stretch your sleeve. But you need to slow down because you are healing - it takes 6 months to totally heal - but at 4 days you have considerable inflammation and should not take chances like this. I am surprised you had no pain from slugging this down so quickly. One good thing, you are not in danger of dehydration. But try to be more mindful.

It’s not easy suddenly being mindful when you’ve spent your life not being mindful. I have virtually no pain when I drink fluids. I’m surprised as well. I was anticipating my body wouldn’t allow me to do anything BUT take small sips. That’s what I was told. But not so for me. I’m going to keep a small glass nearby for portion control from now on. Thanks.

Stretching the sleeve is not the problem. Busting the Staple line or creating a leak is. The best thing to do is drink from a smaller cup or put smaller amounts of water in the cup.

There are patients who can drink large amounts of water at a time. Remember not every sleeve is the same. However, you are still fresh out and now is not the time to be putting pressure on your sleeve.

Stretching the sleeve is not the problem. Busting the Staple line or creating a leak is. The best thing to do is drink from a smaller cup or put smaller amounts of Water in the cup.
There are patients who can drink large amounts of water at a time. Remember not every sleeve is the same. However, you are still fresh out and now is not the time to be putting pressure on your sleeve.

Great advice! Thank you.

I am four days post op too and just drank a whole protein shake in 10 min! I didn’t even think about it till I got super nauseous. I have been able to drink plenty of water and tea without any issues. At first I thought there was no way I could get it all down and now I am scared it’s too easy to get it all down. I am guessing because it’s water it enters and exits the pouch pretty quickly. It doesn’t linger there like food or something thicker. You will be fine!

I’m glad you asked this because I was nervous about the same thing. Sleeved 3/12 and today I drank 20oz water in less than 20 min. I can take normal drinks and forget I’m sleeved. It’s not the same for broth, shakes or protein water. I def have to sip those and go slower. Only water and tea.

I bought toddler cups prior to surgery and drank out of the little 4 oz cups for months. In 3 weeks I’ll be one year post op and I still take 2 hours or more to drink 32oz of water.