WHEN TO STOP DRINKING WATER?

HI, I have a question for you wonderful losers~After surgery, when you are drinking water, do you actually measure it? like, now, I can slam a whole 8oz glass easy. I am wondering if you drink too much water,or should I say, Can you drink to much at once? will it damage anything? like bust something? also, do you just know when the pouch is full of water? I may sound stupid to you...but I was just sitting here, just slammed a big ole glass of ice cold water and thought, OH NO, I cant do this after surgery????? Any advise will be greatly appreciated.....Thanks again.....I love you guys!!! Julie

Julie, the key to PO liquids after meals is no drinking 30 before and 30 after a meal or snack. Some doctors say 45 mins-1 hr after a meal or snack. Now onto your amounts - yes I measure. I buy water in the 20 oz bottles. I will sometimes refill the bottles but the manufacturers of the water do not recommend this because bacteria can build up in the bottles, I really think it is because they want to sell more water. I usually give them a real good rinse. As far as drinking fast, that is a no no. You need to sip, sip, sip until you are about 3 months PO. You will find it may come right back up on you and you are also not learning about how full your pouch is. I am going to guess that is also has something to do with the healing of the pouch and the stoma, you can put unneeded stress on it by filling yourself too full with liquids and that goes for food also. For your question on how do you know the pouch is full - you will learn it pretty fast. With my surgeon when I was preop like you I had to practice sipping slowly for eight weeks, while I was doing my practice diet and also learning to eat slower. Now, think of this when you slammed that glass of water; were you real thirsty? If you were you let yourself get too dry. A sign of thirst or being real thirsty means that you have not been giving your body the required amount of fluids it needs (barring the fact that it could mean a person has untreated diabetes, but that is constant thirst). That is why when you are PO you need to be constantly drinking water. It helps you stay full and hydrated and when you are not eating it chases away the hunger pangs. Yes, the real word is pangs, not hunger pains. Staying hydrated also helps to make sure you do not become constipated which can happen to PO RNY patients real fast, not fun. Now, suggestions for measuring your water. I just count the amount of bottles that I drink in a day. I drink 20 oz bottles, so I get a minimum of 4 of them in a day. Weigh****chers at their stores that they have for their meetings in various areas has a big mug that is 32 oz. Or you can get the sport bottles, but beware to not drink too much out of a straw when you are PO because it can introduce too much air into your pouch and that hurts. Hope I answered all of your questions.

Christine~ That was WONDERFUL!!! Thank you SO much.....You are the BEST!!!!!!! Julie

Julie, we're supposed to try and get in 64 oz. of water a day, which is 4 of the regular size bottles. So every day, I put 4 in the refrigerator, and then I know if I've gotten all my water for the day. If there's still one in there come evening, I pull it out and make sure I finish before bedtime. It usually takes me about 1/2 an hour to finish one, but sometimes longer. Think of your pouch as the size of your thumb, with an opening the size of an M&M. If you drink too fast, the water will back up and you'll know it right away. One thing about our new pouches, they give us a signal if we're drinking or eating too fast. I heard it described that the liquids pour in and dribble out. So, no, you won't be "slamming" any glasses of water, but you'll be sipping all day. Let your pouch be your guide. Terry

Thanks Terry, I am learning SOOO much from all of you!!!! I really appreciate it......Thanks.....Julie

Julie actually you need to go by what your surgeon says when to not drink some say 30 minutes some say 45 before/after eating. Always follow what your surgeon says to do... Immediately after surgery you can't slam down anything... slow sips small ones are best or you will hurt yourself and yes you will feel it... I use a straw and take small sips... now that I am 9 weeks out I can drink a bit more and a bit faster but I inevitable over do and feel pain for a little while... its learning what you can and cant do but always use caution... Debby

Julie, Your doctor will give you more specific guidelines (or he should, anyway) but the general rule is you'll be consuming a minimum of 64oz of water daily and you shouldn't drink with your meals. My doctor says stop drinking 30min before meals.. take 30min to eat.. wait 30min after meals.. but not all doctors follow this same guideline. And don't kid yourself, this is hard to do! I get thirsty when I eat my meals so I have to make sure I DON'T drink before, during or after meals.. and it's a hard adjustment. You won't be able to gulp water immediately post op.. and believe me, you can feel when it's "enough" -- but you will be able to sip.. and that will be enough.. eventually you'll be able to take bigger swallows.. but I think right now the most I can drink quickly is about 4oz.. then I'm pretty much done for a while.. so I don't like to drink quickly very often. Your body tells you what it can and can't do pretty well.. and you learn fast to listen to it.. You'll get it.. it's like learning to ride a bike.. once you learn how to balance, it's easy. Stef

Where is my manage` pic of me and Melissa rolling around on the bed in the hotel room?? I havent gotten yet?? hmmm????? LOL