I was wondering, how am I able to raise my liquid intake if my stomach pouch doesn't allow more than 4 ounces sometimes 3 ounces per hour? I read that if we don't increase our protein intake it'll be a lot slower to lose weight. Maybe instead of drinking water a few more hours I should drink protein? I'm 3 weeks post op from a sleeve surgery

It's hard and we all went through it, but you need to prioritize fluids. It will get easier over time. The reason fluids are important is that dehydration is one of the most common reasons people end up back in the hospital post bariatric surgery.

Yes, protein is important too, but at this point, as long as you're getting some protein, you'll be fine. Protein is prioritized over carbs and fat during extreme weight loss because it can help prevent catabolization of muscle. Hitting your protein goals does help some, but it's not the huge issue some people think it is. A lot of that mentality comes from the bodybuilding world where every ounce of muscle mass counts.

The reason we don't want to lose a lot of muscle is because metabolically, muscle is more active than fat. I believe the net difference is roughly 6 calories, meaning if you lose 1 pound of muscle, vs lose 1 pound of fat, you'll burn about 6 calories less per day.

Keep in mind that some loss of muscle is inevitable after bariatric surgery, so don't stress over it.

Edited June 18, 20251 yr by SpartanMaker

Thank you!!

I was always able to drink more than what they said we should be able to. The PA at my surgeon's office said as long as it doesn't hurt my stomach, it was OK. If you're an RNY patient, fluids go right through you - so you can consume more fluids than you can solid food. As Spartanmaker said, though, definitely prioritize fluids.

Where does it hurt you when you are full? I feel it in my esophagous.

I have pain if I eat too much, or don't chew enough times before swallowing in the upper area of my abdomen, as if the pouch is not allowing any more food in it and pushing up on the diaphragm. I guess it is in the esophagus, but I learned my less the first time it happened and now the only time it happens when I eat too much shrimp. I keep it to 2 oz.

Fluid is the most important thing. I would avoid carbonated beverages, and alcohol, you need to let your body heal from surgery before going off plan. Stick to the plan your team has given you. The most problems that end up in the ER are for dehydration. I drink Crystal Light with Isopure Clear Protein in my drinks to get the protein goals I have.

Good luck!

2 hours ago, ItsMe83! said:

Where does it hurt you when you are full? I feel it in my esophagous.

Eating shouldn't ever "hurt". It would be better to learn to eat until you're only about 80% full. Keep in mind fullness signals can be messed up after surgery. Plus even if you hadn't just had bariatric surgery, there is some lag time between when your body signals that you're full, and when your brain actually responds to that signal.

If it hurts in your esophagus when you eat, that sounds to me like you're eating too much and you're experiencing gastric reflux.

When I am over full, I feel it in my throat now but my food will slip down if I go and do the dishes and tidy the kitchen. I have a fierce restriction so still can not eat and drink at the same time. I can have an fruit juice, ice lolly to help things along if I am really struggling.

Nobody should hurt, if you hurt, something is not right. If you feel like it is in your esophagus, you are probably either over the ounce limit for you, eating too fast, eating too much. I would slow your pace down, chew really really well, and eat a bit less than you have been and see if it helps. If it doesnt help then think about seeing your surgical team, you may need an upper GI test to see if you have a hernia up in the diaphragm area.

Wishing you well.

On 6/19/2025 at 8:02 PM, ItsMe83! said:

Where does it hurt you when you are full? I feel it in my esophagous.

if i ate too much or too fast, i feel it in my solar plexus area, like it is expanding uncomfortably.

if i ate WAaaaYYYYY too much too fast, i feel it up higher, like near the base of my throat. 9 times out of ten, if i feel it this high it is closely followed by some vomiting.

the goal is always to never have to "feel" it, but even at almost 7 yrs post op, it still happens. i do notice this happens more when im "starving" because i forgot to eat or something and i end up wolfing something down cuz i suddenly realized i am hungry (sounds ridiculous, i know, but it happens to me all the time).

so i "try" to eat more regularly, but this is in direct contradiction of my mantra of "dont eat unless u actually want to". so yeah. still trying to work it all out after all these years...

do the best you can while minimizing the amount of angst you experience, is all i can say, i guess.

good luck ❤️

(sorry, not sure this was vey helpful...may delete later, lol)

No! Don't delete it was helpful ty