Is is ok to drink this much?

Hi everyone, I recently went from only being able to get in 4 ounces of water an hour, to pretty much drinking as I did pre-op! I don't know when it happened, but in the last week I noticed I am having no trouble getting in the 64 ounces of water/liquids per day. Sometimes when I am talking and sipping my water, I will drink 4 ounces in 5-10 minutes!! Is this normal? Am I in danger of stretching out my pouch? I am only 2 months out, and I thought I wasn't supposed to drink more than 8 ounces per hour, which means 2 ounces per 15 minutes... Thanks, Anne

Hi Ann I wish I can help you but it is good thing you bring this subject up and I can learn from what other people says about this . It will help me prepare after surgery. Kathy K

You're doing fine! I wish I was able to get up to the 64 oz. a day routine so easily. In the beginning, sipping is all you can do. However, as time goes on those sips become bigger. I still can't GULP like I used to, but I can come pretty close. Unless your stomach feels uncomfortable after you drink, I'd say you're just fine. Keep up the good work! Kathy F.

Anne- I hate you...ERRR...I MEANT TO SAY...Good for you! Unless you have pain or pressure, you sound like youre doing fine.

ANNE, I AM 4 WEEKS POST OP AND I AM FINDING THE SAME THING - I AM ABLE TO DRINK A PROTEIN SHAKE THAT IS 11 OZ IN ABOUT 30 MIN. I HAVE TO SEE MY DOC TOMORROW - IF I REMEMBER TO ASK HIM I WILL LET YOU KNOW WHAT HE SAYS. TAKE CARE

Think of the physics behind what is happening. The 2nd day post-op, your stoma and pouch are swollen from being cut and sewed/stapled. Yet, you do get a small amount of fluid by. As the swelling goes down, more can pass. If not, you would NEVER be able to get enough nutrition from eating. DO NOT GULP! That does several things, including trapping air and filling the pouch too quickly. It can stretch the pouch, but only for a short time. The biggest thing is learning how to control portions. If you tend to "fill to the brim", you will stretch the pouch with food and will have more problems. Peter

WHAT HE SAID . . . NO YOU WON'T STRETCH IT PERMANENTLY FROM DRINKING THE WATER - I WAS TOLD THAT MY POUCH WILL JUST KEEP EMPTYING WHEN MORE WATER OR PROTEIN SHAKE IS PUT IN - SO YES YOU CAN DRINK IT QUICKER BUT, I WAS TOLD THAT IT IS NOT ALL STAYING IN THERE - HOPE THAT HELPS