Is the sipping of water a forever thing? I’m dying for a big chug of fluids but know I can’t.

I'm about 10 weeks out from VSG. For me, I can now take generally "normal sized" drinks. I don't have to sip the 1/4oz anymore, but I cannot chug anything. Two to three swallows at a time is my max, or I get stomach pains. While working on remodeling my kitchen one day I had a memory lapse and forgot about surgery and started chugging a Gatorade. Two gulps in (think about 12oz), I had a major diaphragm spasm and my stomach just rejected everything. I had grape Gatorade coming out of my nose and what felt like someone stabbing me in the chest with a knife. It was...unpleasant, to say the least.

tldr: sipping won't last forever, but you may not ever be able to gulp

I had surgery 2.5 weeks ago. At first I could only take tiny sips but already I can take full swallows. I think many people can eventually take long drinks, but I don't think everyone can. I used to be able to drink a full 16 oz bottle in one breath, but I don't think that will be possible anymore. I'll live. I'm okay with my drinking pace now.

at some point, no. I'm six years out and have been able to drink like I did pre-surgery for quite awhile now.

I’m only just at 6 months out and I’ve been able to drink at roughly 90% since about 2 months post. If I guzzle water quickly sometimes I get a small twinge in my stomach but it’s gone within 30 seconds. Some people just have the ability to drink relatively normally after surgery.

I can totally relate to this! Especially when I'm at the gym I want so badly just to have a bigger drink of water but nope. It makes me nauseous every time. Thankfully that only lasts about 30 seconds for me and I've never actually puked because of it.

My bestie is about 4 years post-op and she can drink about twice as much as me, but she can even drink too much and be uncomfortable for a bit. I think it's one of those thigns that gets better, but never back to normal and we learn to adjust.

It's been a very long time since I have have been required or inclined to sip.

When I was binge running 2-3 years post-op, I never drank over much at one go as that carries it's own issues for me when running,

On the other hand I can in no way match my drinking pre-op. I could inhale a liter in less than 30 seconds. Now, I can take a gulp, perhaps two, but I'm out of the habit of doing more.

So many things food and drink are simply new habit rather than a purposeful, thoughtful choice.

Good luck,

Tek

Edited September 30, 20214 yr by The Greater Fool

I'm two-plus weeks out and can drink mouthfuls. I try to take smaller sips, though, because it makes the 'full signal' happen before I get uncomfortable. But I can easily polish off a protein drink in 15-20 minutes.

As The Greater Fool said above, it's not like before where I could drain a 500 ml bottle of water (or, uh, beer) at one draught. And I'm okay with that. But yeah, it does mean more water breaks at the gym.

Edited October 1, 20214 yr by vikingbeast

It’s very individual. Some can. Some can’t. I’m a not so much. A good mouthful so about two swallows is about it for me. Sometimes I can do a third swallow but never more. Restriction, gurgling, discomfort. So still drink regularly throughout the day & happy to drink this way. Never really feel thirsty & never reach that OMG I’m dying for a drink stage & have to chug litres at a time. Always well hydrated.

Oh & the colder the drink the harder it is for me to drink.

I’m 7 months out and I can drink like I did pre surgery. Have been for a while now.

I was worried about this, but I can take pretty big sips after a few days.

I'm two months out and three small "gulps" seems to be my limit, but I can take those sets of three gulps pretty close together now.