I’m in week 4 and it’s still difficult to drink all the water I need a day. Also I haven’t been able to drink the protein because I know I will not be able to drink it all. Anyone have any tips as to what y’all do to keep up?

I have my water bottle with me all day and I take sips throughout the day but It’s hard to drink it all still.

The way I found my "limit" was to start with 1 sip from a 1 ounce cup every 15 minutes. See how your body tolerates it. If it tolerates it well, then move to 1 sip every 14 minutes, then 13, and so on and so forth. It is a process but you will find your limit within a day or two. One of the one ounce cups should probably take you 2-3 sips to get through, although everyone is different so test that out. If you feel a new pain after your sip, stop and let it fully go away before taking another sip. I think these steps should help anyone with their water intake.

Using those steps I was able to find my limit, then I would gradually increase it to my comfort level. I'm just about 3 weeks post op and I'm able to drink about 10-12 ounces an hour or so. It's really important you listen to your body though. The good thing is, as of week 4 your stomach should be healed up and your chance of it bursting/popping is significantly reduced at this point.

i am 7 months post op and i still struggle with getting in 64oz of water. I do my best. drinking throughout the day. as for protein shakes i find that getting those little 1 ounce medicine cups and taking 1 of those at a time every so often helped a ton!

It is difficult for lots of us to drink enough when our new tummies are swollen and not healed. I was told to do my very best. Just keep an eye out for dark coloured urine, if that happens you should visit the ER for fluids. Otherwise, you should be ok for a while. [ Unless you are in a really hot country.] I caught up eventually.

There are lots of things that help with getting liquids in. Try hot, lukewarm or cold drinks. Sugar free squash and ice lollies also add up to you allowance. Your protein shakes may make up part of your fluid allowance. If you struggle with the thickness of them, dilute them with milk, water or if you are allowed coffee.

I hope you manage your liquids soon

17 hours ago, eliojourney said:

I’m in week 4 and it’s still difficult to drink all the Water I need a day. Also I haven’t been able to drink the Protein because I know I will not be able to drink it all. Anyone have any tips as to what y’all do to keep up?

I have my water bottle with me all day and I take sips throughout the day but It’s hard to drink it all still.

I have the most success with water through a straw bottle (though I'm careful about not swallowing as I suck) and with open-mouthed cups and mugs for protein shakes. I feel like it helps me pace myself better than trying to drink from the little bottles, and the little cups were too cumbersome for me.

Water can seem almost too heavy to drink in the beginning. I drank a large mug of green tea every day to supplement my water consumption (herbal tea is ok too). Also sip during the night. I get in a good cup or more in that way. And yes, your shakes count, as well as any soups you may drink. I eventually started letting sparkling water go flat & added that to my daily fluid routine also - I liked the minerally taste.

You’ll get there.

You might try different temperatures as well. Right now, I can drink hot drinks a lot faster than cold. Especially now in winter, I take advantage of this and drink a hot beverage or two every day.

I may struggle more in the summer since I don't really like hot drinks when it's hot outside. That said, hopefully by then I don't find it nearly as hard to drink cool beverages quickly.

I'm going on 7 weeks post op and have struggled. I haven't hit 60 oz in quite a while. I did go to the doctor to check in, but they didn't feel like I was dehydrated enough. I wish I could get an IV to see if it made a difference, honestly. I can go all day without peeing. Yesterday I was able to hit goal, so I hope that I can continue that.

I'm going on 7 weeks post op and have struggled. I haven't hit 60 oz in quite a while. I did go to the doctor to check in, but they didn't feel like I was dehydrated enough. I wish I could get an IV to see if it made a difference, honestly. I can go all day without peeing. Yesterday I was able to hit goal, so I hope that I can continue that.

I totally understand what's going all day and not peeing... I was told to get at least 32 oz of water as long as I was getting 32 oz of liquids through protein shakes etc... But when I go to the bathroom, it's a really dark almost orange color... So clearly I'm not drinking enough water... I have a highly demanding job and don't have time to go to the bathroom during the day, but the concern isn't just that. It's that I don't have time to drink water and I honestly don't have to go to the bathroom all day. Any suggestions? I am right where you are girl week seven after surgery too...

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64oz (2L) of fluids is usually the goal everyone, not just bariatric patients, are advised to aim to consume each day for our bodies to function effectively & healthily. More if you sweat a lot or live in a hot climate. So yes, you’re not getting in enough. Maybe they meant to count 32oz through your shakes, broths, etc. your ‘food’ so to speak & 32oz via water & other fluids??

I understand a demanding job limiting your drinking & peeing. When I taught I’d go to the bathroom when I left home at 7am, again at lunch time & when I got home at 6pm (would race inside doing the have to pee now dance). I used to drink lots of water when I got home to compensate - would down glass after glass after glass. Can’t do that now so drinking throughout the day is essential. You should aim not to ever feel really thirsty. Maybe try working a routine of drinking & peeing at work.

On 11/25/2022 at 5:25 PM, ashleydashley said:

I totally understand what's going all day and not peeing... I was told to get at least 32 oz of Water as long as I was getting 32 oz of liquids through Protein Shakes etc... But when I go to the bathroom, it's a really dark almost orange color... So clearly I'm not drinking enough water... I have a highly demanding job and don't have time to go to the bathroom during the day, but the concern isn't just that. It's that I don't have time to drink water and I honestly don't have to go to the bathroom all day. Any suggestions? I am right where you are girl week seven after surgery too...

Sent from my Pixel 6 using BariatricPal mobile app

Well, now at 2 months post op, the liquids are going a lot better. I still need to make it my day's work to get it in (remembering and being consistent with having a bottle by me all the time), but I'm able to swallow more volume at a time, which helps. I also started back using my water bottle with a straw (which does not make my belly fill with air). I am at home, though, so that helps. When I was working (pre-surgery) I struggled a LOT getting my liquids in, just because it was so dang busy.

All I want to do I drink a cold bottle of water. I miss it

will I ever be able to chug water again!?!

VSG March 9th

Edited March 22, 20233 yr by JayNYC

15 minutes ago, JayNYC said:

All I want to do I drink a cold bottle of Water. I miss it

will I ever be able to chug water again!?!

VSG March 9th

In time, for most yes. I can’t but that’s me. Two good mouthfuls are my limit. I continue to drink all day & I never feel thirsty so don’t have the need to chug large volumes of water or similar any more. Remember if you feel thirsty your body actually needed water some time before you got the message.

I really like the idea of taking a sip of water every 15 minutes, and if tolerated, working your way down to every 14 minutes, and so on.

I'm almost 8 months post-op and I still find it difficult to get my water intake where it should be. Always remember though, that most of the food you're eating is made of some amount of water as well.

On 3/22/2023 at 12:32 AM, JayNYC said:

All I want to do I drink a cold bottle of Water. I miss it

will I ever be able to chug water again!?!

VSG March 9th

Update*
im currently about 6 weeks post op.
my drinking has improved drastically

i am able to drink roughly 75oz of liquids a day.
I have 2 bottles. A 32oz that I prepare a chai tea with a fairlife 42g protein shake

and a 40oz bottle which I prepare with water and crystal light.
From 8am to 8pm im sipping and usually finish before.
For me straw helps a lot.