Water Loading

So I read the pouch rules, so kindly posted the other day and learned abou****er loading. This is not something my surgeon stresses. I've been giving it a try and it really seems to work. Has anyone been doing it long term?

I just started it this week after finding that hand out my surgeon gave to me. My surgeon strongly stresses doing this to help us to feel fuller longer. He's had an entire (almost all of the stuff I posted the other day on here) maintenance program that all of his WLS patients should follow after 6 months out when the weight loss seems to slow down and our old behaviors seem to creep back up. The water loading really works for me, especially before my meals and at night when I feel head hunger coming on. It takes it right away! I gulp as much water as I can as quickly as I can and I can feel the roux part swell right up! I hope everyone tries this. Not all surgeons keep their patients up to date, but mine is STRICT!!! Paula

Never hard of the term water loading before. So Paula, does this mean you gulp as much water as quickly as you can? And about how much water do you estimate you're gulping? Thankfully, I can gulp really well now, probably about 6-8oz, I think it goes down through my stomach while I'm gulping (or at least I hope so, because I sure hope the size of my stomach can't fit 8oz already). Anyway, if you could elaborate on the concept of water loading (esp if I have it wrong), I'd appreciate it. It's news to me. That's great that your surgeon keeps you posted on all these tips. amy

I learned about fluid loading about two months ago at support group and have been doing it since. It has helped break a little plateau I was on and I have really noticed a difference in not being hungry afterward.

what is water loading? Please share Thanks, ANgie

I start drinking water 1 1/2 hours after eating, than 30 minutes before my next meal, I drink as much water as I can for 15 mintues. Once I am done eating I wait 1 1/2 hours to start drinking again. I can usually get in about 16 ounces in that 15 minutes. I don't gulp, I pretty much just constantly sip. Water pretty much just passes through your pouch in that 15 minutes between drinking and eating, but what it does it gives your pouch that feeling of fullness. I still measure my food which is about 3 1/2 ounces at one sitting and when I do the fluid loading, I rarely finish my meal. In order to make sure I am getting all my protein, I drink two Nectar protein drinks a day, one when I first get up in the morning and the other around 7:30 pm. My weight loss has been pretty consistent throughout with only one plateau lasting about 3 weeks. I am glad for the slow, consistent weight loss and am hoping my skin will have a chance to catch up. Hope this helps.

Read the post I posted the other day on 'Rules of the pouch'...it explains all abou****er loading. At this stage in post op, we should be doing this. paula