Question:
I have said this before, but the liquid issue

I love water I always have, I love to take a big drink, but I am told that is a no-no. I cannot get 64oz of liquid in a day unless I drink sips every minute. As other do, I work and get distracted. How do you do it?    — jlh1129 (posted on January 17, 2008)


January 17, 2008
I also have a hard time getting in my liquids and I am almost 8 months out. Don't forget to count any soup broth you eat that is liquid! Just do the best you can and keep trying to increase it.
   — Alvernlaw

January 17, 2008
I have a 32 oz Nalgene bottle that I carry EVERYWHERE with me. I wound up in the hospital three days after surgery with dehydration because I wasn't paying attention to the fluids as well as I should have. So, yes, it does happen. I try to drink three of my bottles every day. That was enough of a scare for me to pay attention for the rest of my life.
   — Shirley D.

January 17, 2008
You're supposed to have water with you at all times. When I go to my bariatric support meetings you can tell which people have had the RNY surgery already--they ALL have water bottles. If you take two sips (2 oucnes) every 15 minutes during the time you're awake, you'll get the proper amount of water. That's how you do it.
   — Dave Chambers

January 17, 2008
Everyone is different with this, but I found that hot tea went down better than anything for me. Another trick that keeps the big gulping issue at bay is to take a small juice glass, fill with crushed ice to the rim, and fill with as much water as it will hold. I found that I could sip sip sip on several of those in no time. It just made the amount more manageable for me. I have no issues getting the tea down quickly, so I'll do 3 or 4 cups /day of those. Then here and there I'll do the small glass trick to fill in between. I manage to get in my required 8 8oz. cups/day. I've never had an issue with dehydration in my 3 months since surgery. I was even tested for it once when I was concerned. I am a gulper too....it's an old habit that dies hard. You really pay the price for it with food, but water and liquids hurt just as bad when you take too big a swig! It takes some reconditioning and another thing I discovered is that when I'm eating, I really need to concentrate on my whole meal experience. I use toddler silverware and I chew chew chew. If someone talks to me, or my 3 year old is distracting me, I stop eating to deal with whatever is going on, so that I can concentrate on eating. I found if I don't, I've taken too large a bite or have swallowed pre-maturely and have definitely paid the price. This is your time...to focus on YOU. Make sure you do it. Best wishes and lotsa hugs! Cheryl
   — Cheryl K.

January 17, 2008
I always have taken big gulps and you can not tell us men anything, so I took a few big gulps and quickly found the pain was not worth the speed. When I got home from the hospital I use a medicen cup for all my liquids, pouring my juce and water into them and sipping from the little medicen cup. Now I have got into the habit, I drink bottled water again, but in little sips every few minutes, all the time, and I don't realise I finished 16 oz until after about 45 minutes the bottle is empty and I open another.
   — William (Bill) wmil

January 17, 2008
I make a game out of it. I got so distracted when I went back to work. I am in advertising and constantly on the phone, while emailing and trafficking jobs through the office, approving artwork, etc. let alone trying to drink and eat right after surgery. I am a GREAT multi-tasker, but I to have my limits. So I made a game out of drinking all day long. Open an email - sip. Type a message - sip. Send an email - sip. Before take a call - sip. On a call - sip, sip, sip. Hang up the phone - sip. Pick up a pen - sip. Put the pen down - sip. After a few days, it just became habit. You will master it - do it for a few days and before you know it you are constantly wanting to sip.
   — jammerz

January 17, 2008
I had a hard time at first getting my water in. It was almost 2 years--but it gagged me, and I wasn't a big liquid drinker before, so it was new to me to have to drink, drink, drink. My husband came out of surgery chugging his water-still does, it never bothered him, but he drank a lot before surgery. If it doesn't hurt you drink however you need to!!
   — GAYLE CARMACK-LYONS

January 18, 2008
I was told not to worry about stretching the pouch with liquids as long as you dont have food in your pouch. Visualize an empty funnel, liquids flow thru the funnel fairly quickly if there is no food the absorb the liquids. I drink with a straw and swallow big gulps with no problems. best wishes
   — MAYROSE

January 18, 2008
I don't know how far out you are, but I can drink four or five ounces at a time without a problem. I am 10 weeks out. Pat
   — pjennjr

January 18, 2008
Have you had your surgery yet? I am like you and that is why I chose the Duodenal Switch weight loss surgery because I wanted to be able to chug down water and not just sip all day. If you are pre op , look into that option. If not, why dont you try some herbal teas? That might be a good way to add water and it should soothe your tummy too.
   — SameButDifferent




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