Hi...I just joined this forum yesterday, have search the topics, but haven’t found the answer to my particular question. My sleeve surgery is in 1 week. My worry is that so many here stress the importance of water, yet it sounds as if it is hard to get enough. I am a big water drinker and can down a 22-ounce glass of it in one shot. I understand that I will not be able to do that after surgery! But my fear is that I will be walking around thirsty-continually-until my stomach is completely healed. Or maybe forever. Can someone tell me if you feel extremely thirsty all the time or do you adjust to small sips easily? How long does it take before you can drink more than an ounce or two at a time? Will I ever be able to drink a normal glass of water ever again?

I obviously can't speak for everyone but I'm pretty much thirsty all the time now. I used to drink 100 oz easily before surgery, now I struggle to get my required 64 oz. My mouth/head craves ice cold water but my stomach says nope. It always cramps when I drink cold water. The lukewarm water and hot beverages go down easier but my mouth is not satisfied with that. Who wants to drink lukewarm water after a work out? I'm almost 2 months out and am still experiencing this.

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Oh yes, you will be fine. It’s only in the beginning that you will take sips...I was drinking gulps at about 1.5 weeks...I don’t think you’ll be able to drink 22 oz in one shot but you will be able to drink enough so you’re not walking around thirsty....I’m never thirsty because I always keep water with me. It’s the solid food stage is when you will feel restriction and can only eat small amounts which is awesome!! Water just goes right through you and as time passes the more you will be able to gulp ??

I wish you all the best!

I am seven months out and I still cannot drink a lot of water all at once.

I'm almost 6 weeks out and can drink fairly normally now. I mean, I'm not sipping. Like you, I LOVED water pre-op, and would chug a 16.9 ounce bottle of water with no problems. I definitely can't do that now, but I can take drinks, and I'm really only thirsty first thing in the morning when I wake up. I keep water by my bed and start taking drinks right away. I feel mostly okay with it, and have heard it gets even easier to drink "normally" as time goes on.

So...it appears that it can be quite different for each person, unfortunately. Worrisome, but hopefully, Oct517, you will eventually get to where Wanda247 is. Thank you for your honest replies. Wanda, I’m going to try to hold onto hope that I have your experience! Thanks again

J@Alabama: Thank you for sharing that. Does your doctor have any idea why you still can’t drink much?

KT1981: You give me hope!!

Thank you all for your responses...I guess I’ll just hope for the best, but at least I know I won’t be alone if that doesn’t happen. Thanks again.

9 hours ago, betterL8thanever said:

So...it appears that it can be quite different for each person, unfortunately. Worrisome, but hopefully, Oct517, you will eventually get to where Wanda247 is. Thank you for your honest replies. Wanda, I’m going to try to hold onto hope that I have your experience! Thanks again

LOL...you will, I'm still a newbie but if you read or ask some of the folks that's been on here a year or more, I DO NOT see any of them complaining about not being able to meet their liquids/fluid goals, they all actually encourage every one to drink more...It's just about your mindset, if you want to succeed you will do it. I love this site...I continue to learn things daily here ?

You got this!!!

It's different for everyone. I was able to get my water in on day 3 of my surgery. I took small sips, but I got it all in. No. I'm not always thirsty. I drink fairly normally now; I don't sip anymore, and I haven't for a while. I'm 8 months post-op. You'll be fine!

Hi @betterL8thanever

Your restriction from surgery with be tight for a while. Sip on a water bottle during the day. Keep it on your night stand at night. Getting food and fluids in gets easier as time progresses. It's all a learning process.

Four years out, I easily get my water in and thirst is not an issue.

Thank you all for your encouragement. I appreciate it!

21 hours ago, betterL8thanever said:

ever be able to drink a normal glass of water ever again?

hi newbie, welcome to our board - we keep getting "smaller" and "smaller"

sure you will be able to drink "normally" again. many OP struggle to get ANY water

down the hatch so quickly PO./ later too. consider yourself lucky!! at your early stage, continue to take small sips - ask your NUT when you can "officially" start drinking more at once - and eventually be allowed to gulp. You and other OP that can drink so much - congrats, that's wonderful. Can't drink too much water. It's so good and important for all - drinking a glass to your health☺️

good luck with sleeve next week

kathy

OK, thank you! And I must say, I'm impressed with your success! I am starting at about the same place as you did, same weight and height, only I'm older than you are now! And I'm just starting out...but figured that my remaining years should be as healthy as they can be. My doctor says he has done the sleeve on patients that were 80 years old, so I guess I will be OK. Scared but also looking forward to my surgery next Monday, and so glad I found this group! Thank you for your response :)

1 hour ago, betterL8thanever said:

I'm older than you are now! And I'm just starting out

@betterL8thanever

Most OP wish they had their surgery years ago. (they would have been younger) LOL

I turned 58 years OLD when i had my WLS - In January I will be 65 years YOUNG

Your screen name is perfect - you are never too old for WLS. Before you know it,

you'll be "YOUNG" like me! (also successful and cute as a button!!)☺️

good luck next week - speedy recovery

kathy

Thank you! But one last question: what is “OP”? (I guess I really AM old!)

Thank you! But one last question: what is “OP”? (I guess I really AM old!)

I always thought it stood for original poster but I dont think that is the way that proud Grammy is using it

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