Hey y'all! Brand -new here. I'm currently 5 days post-op and had a concern with my fluid goals. I know that we are meant to stop drinking 30 minutes before a meal and 30 minutes after one. How are we supposed to get our goal of 64oz in a day if we are restricted by that, especially since we can't drink a whole lot at any one time. Any tips or sharing of things that have worked for others would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

It took a good month before I was able to hit my water goal consistently. In those very early days, its EXTREMLY hard, so don't get discouraged! It helps to keep fluids handy - I always have a water bottle with me, on my desk, on my nightstand, etc. I also think having a variety of options can help. I drink lots of water, but also tea, zero sugar electrolyte drinks, coffee, etc. Just keep working at it and over time it becomes a habit!

I'm a bit over 4 months post op and still can't always get that in. It's extremely hard in the beginning so don't fret over that just work on progressing one day at a time. Also keep in mind broth and other liquids also count towards that goal. I would kill 2 birds with one stone and drink protein water like Protein2O when protein and drinking goals were harder to reach. My dietician also told me a protein shake can be thinned out with water and you can keep drinking that for awhile.

Basically from the time you wake up just keep sipping water, it does get easier. And yeah I tote around my Stanley or other water bottle everywhere I go. I am good with just water, but there are so many sugar free options that can be added to water to switch it up if you get bored. I can definitely drink far more than a sip now so with time you will find that it should improve.

Once I knew how my stomach would react, I stopped doing the 30 minutes before rule. It didn’t bother me to drink prior to eating and it didn’t seem to impact the amount I could eat either as long as I wasn’t gulping down water right before a meal. Cutting out that 30 minute block really helped to get in more fluids. Other than that, it’s just a matter of carrying the water everywhere you go and sipping constantly. If your stomach isn’t ready, no worries. Work up the best you can. I wasn’t hitting my goal right after surgery, but about 2 weeks later, I was up to 80oz. My sister had the sleeve and she still can’t drink that much 2 years out. Just go at your own pace and watch the color of your urine closely.

I start drinking water at 6:30 a.m. as I get dressed for work. I continue until I finish the bottle, then I drink my breakfast protein shake (around 9 a.m.). When I'm done with that, I start on bottle 2. After lunch, I wait about 30-45 min, and I start on bottle 3 drinking sips here and there until 4 p.m. When I get home, I either eat an early dinner and then continue with water, or I start on bottle 4 and eat dinner at a later time. That's already 64 oz of water. Sometimes I continue sipping on water 30-45 minutes after dinner until bedtime. My last water bottle is the one I add fiber to since it's recommended that you take your fiber in the evening/bedtime. It takes a little practice. Setting reminder alarms on your cell phone helps A LOT.

Before surgery I had a hard time drinking plain water unless it was flavored/sweetened with Crystal Light. After, I couldn't drink sweet and preferred cool clear water till about 3 weeks after surgery.

I set out three 20 oz bottles and start sipping throughout the day with a goal to finish them all before bedtime. If not, if I woke, I'd drink more and hopefully finish by morning. But I never forced myself to meet goal. I just did the best I could without allowing myself to become dehydrated.

The remaining ounces I got from my protein drinks, milk, broth etc. Early on if you have to choose between drinking or eating....drink.

It is hard to hit fluid (& protein) goals at first but it does get easier. As long as you’re making an effort & getting closer it’s fine.

Keep your drink beside you. I have water in my bedroom, on the kitchen best, on the coffee table by the tv, etc. so I just pick it up & sip wherever I am. I also found setting routines very helpful. Set a timer to help remind yourself to sip. Drink every time you do a certain thing. For example one I do is drink every time I get in or out of my car & at every traffic light. A friend to,d me recently she used to play the drinking babe in work meetings - sip every time someone said a particular word or words ( originally she said she sipped every time someone said something stupid but couldn’t keep up ???.) I also drink at night - every time I get in or out of bed I drink - it can be quite a lot because of all that peeing - lol!

I also find it all balances out in the end. You may drink a little less today, but drink a little more tomorrow. Same with your eating. Don’t forget your soups & shakes count towards your fluid goals too. I used to dilute my shakes for more fluid & just kept sipping so no distinction between eating & drinking,

All the best.

its all about the cup.

Also, I have to have a straw, i know some plans don't allow them, ours says its okay after six months.

19 hours ago, sleevedinthe817 said:

I stopped doing the 30 minutes before rule. It didn’t bother me to drink prior to eating and it didn’t seem to impact the amount I could eat either as long as I wasn’t gulping down Water right before a meal.

I feel the same way. Drinking water just before eating doesn't really bother me. I'm not knocking back a bottle, but regular drinking. I still wait the 30 minutes after and so far all has been good.

Like @Arabesque I drink water throughout the night too. Every time I roll over or get up to pee. I also flavor it with herbal teas, just throw the bag in like sun tea. I make weekends special with fresh cut fruit or cucumbers in the water. I wouldn’t recommend the fruit or cukes until those foods are cleared. They may irritate the healing places. Early on, I made SF jello and popsicles, everything counts toward your liquid goal. I still love LS chicken bone broth warmed up! Early on, warm drinks were easier to get down.

I found warm fluids much easier than cold early on so I drank a lot of tea and herbal tea and eventually bouillon. I also warmed my shakes a little sometimes, LOL.

I stuck to the 30 minutes before and after for the first few months. I still stick to the after, but I can drink right before a meal with no issues now, which really helps.

As others have said, keep your water bottle close at hand all the time.

It really is hard, and lots of us don't meet our fluid goal for the first few weeks. Best of luck.

Thank you all!

I use this 32oz cup. I drink 2 of these per day and then usually a Propel water after working out. Depending on what I'm doing, I'll use Arbonne hydration sticks, muscle recovery, pre-workout, etc... I also like the sugar free flavorings that have no calories and carbs that you can find at any store. I can't stand plain water. At night I also drink caffeine free tea to relax me and get extra fluids in. If I need an energy boost, I drink Arbonne energy fizz (no jitters, no crash, natural caffeine, coQ10, b vitamins, etc...). There's lots of drink options that can make it easier to get your fluids in. You'll get there eventually

I am pre-op but I bought a bottle carrier (small bag with strap) and plan on carrying my water with me EVERYWHERE. I`ll be that dork with the bottle carrier, yeah....... oh well! ?

It's also helpful to drink things that taste good that fall within the plan (zero calories, non-carbonated, ect). Crystal Light, decaffeinated tea, infused Water with fruit, lemon, or cucumbers, or the cirkul water bottle system are all good options. I find if I like it, I'll drink more.

The 30 minute before and after a meal is hard, but it becomes second nature. You literally have to drink all day to meet your goals. Once you get farther out, you can drink more at a time.

On 8/21/2023 at 11:50 AM, saramelie said:

I am pre-op but I bought a bottle carrier (small bag with strap) and plan on carrying my Water with me EVERYWHERE. I`ll be that dork with the bottle carrier, yeah....... oh well! ?

I am pre-op too. My surgery date is 9/26. I also bought the bottle carrier which holds my water bottle, phone, compact & lipstick. My husband says I am officially an old lady now (I'm 55)....lol. I am embracing the dorkiness ? and love the hands-free option. I just tried it out on my trip to Washington and it was GREAT!!