Question:
How many ounces of water should a new post-op try to take in?
I am having surgery November 8 in Birmingham. I am fearful about getting dehydrated. I drink so much now. I am always thirsty, probably because of my diabetes. Will I still be this thirsty after surgery and how will I gt rid of it? I know normal should people drink 8 ounces a day, or many do WLS patients drink a day to stay hydrated? — Kim L. (posted on October 24, 2002)
October 24, 2002
The suggested amount is 64 oz of water a day. As a new pre-op you will not
be able to drink so much, just sips. However, as time passes you can drink
more. You will probably notice your diabetes improve substantially post-op
too.
— Cindy R.
October 24, 2002
Kim, drinking water was the hardest thing for me post op. I am now 7 weeks
out and it is much easier. You will need to drink as much as you can at
first. Eventually you will need at least 64oz, but it will be hard for a
while. I highly recomend a snow-cone machine and some sugar free flavors.
On some days, this was the only way I could get in any liquid. I suggest
HawaiianShavedIce.com. Good Luck!
— Amber L.
October 24, 2002
Actually, normal people are supposed to drink 8-8oz glasses a day. I rarely
do it that way. I get more liquids but usually 32ozs at a time. It's
suggested post-ops keep a glass or bottle of water with them all the time
to sip from and try to get as much water as they can. The water makes you
feel fuller too, cutting down on hunger pains. As time goes by and your
pouch stretches you will be able to drink more.
— dkinson
October 24, 2002
I never measured my water. But for the first 4-6 weeks (ballpark figure) I
drank constantly. Sip here, sip there, all the time. I had water right by
my bed at night! Everytime I rolled over I drank. I also made sure (and
still do) that I have a bottle of something to drink while in the car
(walking or whatever). Believe me, even at almost 18 months post op I can
get dehydrated VERY EASY. It is a good way to pass out. Especially in the
first couple of months when you can't drink as a normal person.
— Danmark
October 24, 2002
When I was a new post-op I didn't measure liquids. I kept something to
drink by my side at all times and sipped all day long. After leaving the
hospital I was on full liquids for a week and I drank mostly V8 Juice and a
little Crystal Light. I did keep water my the bed at night so if I woke up
I could have a sip or two. I am almost 11 months post-op and have done
great.
— Patty_Butler
October 24, 2002
Normal people need a lot more than eight ounces. I believe it is 8-10 cups
a day for a normal person. Gastric Bypass is 64 ounces a day. In the
beginning that will be very difficult. I used to just always have a bottle
of spring water with me and sip on it all day. I don't think I actually
got a full 64 ounces but I made a good attempt.
— Linda A.
October 24, 2002
my dr. sent me home with a bunch of one ounce little medicine cups, just so
that i could get an idea of how much water to drink in a swallow. it was a
good way to learn not to gulp. my husband kept about 8 of them filled and
i tried to drink them every few minutes. i did that for about 1 week.
then i switched to a sports water bottle my co-workers bought me. its
insulated and keeps the water cold. i don't like to put ice in my water
now because i think it tastes funny after it melts (i'm weird, lol). my
bottle holds 3 cups, so i know if i refill it 3 times a day, i'm getting
enough. right after surgery, it was harder to get that much water in. if i
can try to help with anything else, just email me. Good Luck!
— csibila
October 24, 2002
Kim, Water is probably the most important thing you can do for yourself
starting day one. During the first few weeks, it will be just like
everyone else says...hard to get all 64 oz. in, but try. I was warned that
if you don't keep enough water going down at a steady pace, your stoma and
esophagus can shrink and you will need to be dilated. This happened to a
friend of mine and several people in my support group. My friend learned
after the second trip to be scoped for dilation, to drink that water. My
nutritionist recommended that I not substitute anything for water, but once
I got all the water in, I could then drink Crystal Light or other sugar
free, non-carbonated drinks. I'm so addicted to water that I can't even
shop for groceries without my water bottle. I use a straw and ice. I like
my water filtered with a Brita pitcher. Just remember to start out taking
little sips and as the days go on, you'll not even have to think about how
big a sip your taking...also, water cannot stretch your pouch as long as
you water 30 minutes after eating and don't drink while eating. I'm 17
mos. post op and the rules have become second nature and a way of life for
me so that I don't feel like I'm any different than anyone else, just wiser
in the ways I treat my body.
— Teri D.
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