Question:
Today my surgery was changed from the DS to lap RNY--

I have always gulped my water and I am more afraid of not being able to quench my thirst than I am of not eating! Can any ofyou post-ops please advise me about how to drink now, so it is not such a shock later? I know it is probably silly, but I am so worried about it. Thanks, suzi    — sm S. (posted on January 15, 2003)

January 15, 2003
Immediately after surgery you will be sipping. I am now a little over 2 months ouyt now and can gulp a few swallows. I don't think you will be turning up a glass of water and killing it, ever. However, we are supposed to drink about 60-80 ozs of water a day so to do that you are drinking most of the day anyway. You will be fine. Drinking, like eating habits will be changed. GOOD LUCK!!!
   — dkinson

January 15, 2003
Not sure if this applies to lap RNY surgery, I had DS surgery on 11/11 - I too am a big water drinker/gulper. The hardest part for me post op was the fact that water didn't taste good to me, plus it hurt to drink even the smallest amount. This has something to do with the anesthesia (something about isotopes???). It's good that you are preparing yourself, I had a rough time because I never thought I'd have probs w/water. Luckily, things got easier with each passing day - at about 4 weeks out I was able to drink a mouthful. I'm at 9 wks now and I can do a large gulp (I don't, but I can if I want to!), which helps with vitamins, etc., Good luck on your surgery! Anne BPD/DS 11/11/02 - 47lbs gone!
   — Anne F.

January 15, 2003
I had a lap rny 5 weeks ago, and I can drink water pretty dang fast on an empty stomach. I take about 3 swallows, then wait a few seconds, and take a few more swallows, ect... I wouldn't worry too much about it. In fact, it was one of my main concerns,and it hasn't been an issue. Right after surgery, I didn't drink like I do now, but it didn't take more than 2 weeks. Before that, I sipped constantly.
   — Diana L.

January 16, 2003
The type of surgery you have should have nothing to do with whether you can gulp water again. Early on, and I had the lap RNY, you sip not gulp as your tummy cannot handle the large amount a gulp consists of. You just constantly sip all day....Eventually you will be able to gulp again. I think at about the 2 month post-op I noticed I was drinking much more than sips!
   — Cindy R.

January 16, 2003
Suzi, you won't be able to gulp for a while because your tummy won't let you but over time you can pretty much drink like always. I am 5 months out and have been drinking pretty normally for sometime. Best of luck to you......
   — Sharon1964