Question:
How much water can you drink after surgery daily?

I'm waiting on a consult for WLS surgery next month. I'm a HUGE water drinker - I LOVE IT -Almost to the point of drinking nothing else. I drink about 96oz of water daily. Is it still possible to drink this much water daily after RNY surgery?    — Monica G. (posted on March 8, 2002)

March 7, 2002
This is something I've been stressing about too -- not being able to get enough water after surgery. I'm like you in that I drink tons of water (and Diet Coke, if I let myself). I'm a chain-drinker. I don't know how many ounces I drink each day, but I reach for a bottle of water first thing in the morning and I'm rarely without one in my hand for the rest of the day. When I eat dinner at a restaurant, the server usually has to refill my glass 8 to 10 times during the meal. I know that excessive thirst is a symptom of diabetes, but they've tested me many times and my blood sugar is good. It's hard for me to imagine having to sip my water slowly or not being able to drink with meals. I'm not worried at all about the post-op food restrictions; somehow those seem very doable. But, given how thirsty I always am, I'm worried that I'll either keep my pouch full with water all the time and not have room left to eat, or that I won't be able to go the 2 hours after a meal before drinking, and I'll wash my food out of the pouch prematurely. Has anyone who is post-op had this problem? Or had this fear and found that it wasn't a problem after all?
   — Tally

March 7, 2002
I too was a HUGE water drinker...I am now 6 weeks post-op and I am lucky if I can get it the 64 ozs a day that is required..But people are all different a friend of mine who had this surgery can still drink water like she has never even had the surgery!! Best of luck..
   — tylerswife

March 7, 2002
I am 6 weeks post op, and let me tell ya... Your new pouch is like a funnel. It takes awhile for the chew stuff to slide through, but liquids go right on out. You can't take HUGE gulps though. I can drink about 4 decently big swallows and then I wait for about 30 seconds and then I can drink again. If you drink too fast it will back up and some might even come out of your mouth! You can get that amount of water in and it is VERY important you do. I didn't drink anything for the first 3 days out of the hospital and I ended up having to go back for 2 days. DRINK UP!! :)
   — Paula Prichard

March 7, 2002
I was also a hugh water drinker pre-op and figured out it was because I was eating tons of bad sugar and salty foods and it would be heaven to follow with water. After surgery water isn't as appealing to me,because I don't eat those foods. I do get down over 80oz per day, but it because I have to and not because I love it anymore.
   — ZZ S.

March 7, 2002
I was also a big water drinker before surgery. I drank it with all my meals and sipped in between. I have had the hardest time because I drank the majority of my water while eating and now I can't do that. Also, I have very little nausea or discomfort EXCEPT when I drink water! There are times when I take a sip of water before I am going to eat a meal and it makes my stomach cramp up so badly that I can't eat. I don't know why but I have seen on this site that I am not alone. I have finally gotten my average water intake up to about 36 oz a day by literally forcing myself to drink water. No, it is not enough, but it is the best I can do right now. It is getting better, though, slowly but surely.
   — ctyst

March 8, 2002
It was difficult to drink water at first, but by about month 3-4 I was pretty much back to normal in that arena. Don't worry, you'll be fine. I'm 1 year post-op now and can gulp water the same as before.
   — Terissa R.

March 8, 2002
I am 2 weeks post op today and I can sip water pretty much all day. I was able to do this immediately after I was told it was ok after surgery. It does not stay in my pouch and keep me full. I was told to only avoid drinking 1/2 hour before and 1/2 hour afer eating my meals. Water is not as appealing to me as before surgery. I am also having trouble with a bad taste in my mouth all the time making water nasty. trying to get use to sugar free caffeine free ice tea and lemonaide.
   — SARose61

March 9, 2002
I was the same way, gallons of water. I requested the IV run fast while I was in the hospital because I was so used to tons of liquids. I must admit I slowed down a lot because I could only take baby sips but I did so all the time, day and night. After a couple months I could drink 3-4 liters of water easily but still had to be careful to avoid gulping. I'm 7mo out and I still drink tons of water and since nutrasweet make me ravenously hungry I really only drink water and protein drinks. (I'm still not able to eat enough to get all the protein in with my food so I still use protein supplements)
   — Helen B.