How do you get in Water?

Could you please discribe how you get all your water in through the day? I would like to know how much you drink at one time? I would like to practice this before I have my rny, I am a gulper and practically swollow my food whole. So, I am trying to have the chewing and drinking down before surgery. Thank You, Vickie

I'm almost sure after your surgery you will learn not to gulp. Cuz it hurts...64-120 oz of water a day is recommended. You won't be able to do this in the beginning. Those numbers are what you work up to.... Always have water bottle around me. We can't drink our water at work so we have bottled water and a system that filters it. The water tastes pretty good now to me. In the beginning I had to condition my water with flavouring to get it down, plain water still hurts. Good luck Darlene

our drinking is probably very different from what it would be for a brand new post--op. I know mine is. you will probably get a better answer if you post your question on the main board so people in a like situation as yourself will see it and answer. this is the GRAD board and once you get as far out as most of us are, a lot of things are different. That's why we all are here. our issues are very different from yours. Good luck on your surgery.

At this point, most "grads" can drink water, Crystal Light, whatever, about the same as pre-wls. At least I can. So at this point, getting it in is not a problem. However, in the first months it's sip . . . sip . . . sip. At first, and perhaps for a long time, you may not be able to get in the recommended amount, but you must just work at it diligently. I took water or Crystal Light with me EVERYWHERE, and I do mean everywhere--church, shopping, walking, etc. And fortunately, my job (h.s. guidance counselor) affords me the freedom to drink right at my desk. Food--even though at 2 years post-op, I can obviously eat differently than right at first, I still have to make myself eat relatively slowly and chew well. Like you, I SHOVELED food into my mouth before wls, but believe me, you won't do this afterwards! Don't stress about this stuff--it takes practice, but you're sort of forced into doing it right. And the immediate drinking/eating habits aren't forever. Best of luck! Jo

I appreciate all of your answers. I guess I am focusing on what my life will be like long term. I know this will all be difficult for the first year, but the first few months will be the hardest. I have alot of information on the first few months ( not that I think anything can prepare you for the reality), I really want to know what my life will be like for the rest of my life. Thank You all, Vickie

Vickie, I was a gulper pre-op, too. I'd chug 32 oz at a time, seriously and get in about a galon of water a day. Immediately pre-op and a few months afterwards, I'd be lucky to get 8 oz in in 1/2 a day. You just can't do it - it hurts (as others have said). I'm now 16 months out and have no problems getting 64+ oz in a day. I can swallow a mouthful (about 3-4 swallows) at one time every few minutes. At first I felt like I was going to thirst to death, but I didn't and you may feel like that, too. I always have a glass of water or Crystal light or Lipton Diet green tea with me all the time. I never leave home without a bottle of something. Sometimes I get tired of water and may add some lemon in it or drink Propel or the other things I mentioned. Shortly after your surgery some of those things may be too sweet for you to tolerate so you can water them down - like 1/2 crystal light and 1/2 water. You'll find out what works for you. Michelle

Thank You, Michelle. This is exactly the information I was looking for. Thanks Again, Vickie